3RD HBCT Soldiers Attend Tree Lighting Ceremony

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and brigade Soldiers wave Chemlights while singing Christmas carols during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 8, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

Santa Claus, played by Maj. Rhett Griner, from Jonesboro, Ga., digs through his sack of candy during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 8, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

Santa Claus, played by Maj. Rhett Griner, from Jonesboro, Ga., tosses candy into the crowd of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 8, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team attended a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Dec. 8, at Forward Operating Base Hammer to welcome a Christmas season spent with their Army family.

“I enjoyed the ceremony. It was very motivating and very uplifting,” said Staff. Sgt. Derrick Mears, from Richmond, Va., a communications non-commissioned officer in Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

The ceremony began as the Dickens Carolers from Columbus, Ga., sang Christmas music through a live video teleconference set up by the communications section of the 3rd HBCT.

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander of the 3rd HBCT, said the carolers did a great job singing for the brigade last Christmas at Fort Benning, Ga. One month ago, he had the idea for them to sing through a live video teleconference to the brigade this Christmas during the tree lighting ceremony.

“I am standing here truly amazed,” Grigsby said before initiated a round of applause to all 3rd HBCT Soldiers who were involved in making the ceremony happen.

“Commo did a great job,” Mears said. “They put in a lot of hard work and I am proud of them. The carolers were great. I’m glad they took the time out of their busy schedules to sing for the Soldiers.”

Grigsby talked to the carolers and thanked them for their motivation and morale and letting them know their time was greatly appreciated.

“You don’t know how much this means to the Soldiers over here to hear and see you sing,” Grigsby said. “It brings normalcy to the tough life we have had here for the past nine months. It does our hearts good.”

Grigsby then addressed the Soldiers of the 3rd HBCT. He said he was proud of everything they have accomplished since their arrival to FOB Hammer in April.

“You are the best brigade combat team in the U.S. Army. You are amazing. You are just incredible,” Grigsby told the Soldiers. “This is the least Command Sgt. Maj. Pearson and I can do for you. You guys deserve this. You guys earned this.”

After the speech, the crowd gathered around the dark Christmas tree broke out their Chemlights and counted down. The tree was lit and the crowd cheered.

Special guest Santa Claus, played by Maj. Rhett Griner, from Jonesboro, Ga., tossed candy to the audience and then posed for pictures with Soldiers in front of the Christmas tree.

“The ceremony was great,” said Spc. Cynthia Clabaugh, from Lancaster, Calif., Company A, 3rd BSTB. “It looked really cool when they turned out the lights and had the Chemlights going and the tree lit. It reminded me of a party. I appreciate them doing all that for us.”

The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V since March.