Holiday Tree Lighting Co-Sponsored by FOSH Brings Seasonal Joys

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holidays, Tree lighting

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting co-sponsored by FOSH was a beautiful evening Dec. 4 as the community bonded with residents in a warm celebration. A Soldiers Home resident choir sang holiday favorites as Santa and Mrs. Claus looked on. FOSH is grateful that champion whistler Chris Ullman serenaded a thankful audience with holiday classics and some great stories. FOSH also is thrilled that the Georgetown Phantoms singing group delivered holiday classics and a Motown set. FOSH presented residents with a few gifts — a couple dozen wreaths that decorated the walls and some tents residents will be able to use at their warm-weather outside events to stay out of the sun. After the program, everyone headed to the courtyard for the tree lighting and sang songs. What a great night!

Bring Wine, Join FOSH at Annual Solders Home Tree Lighting Celebration

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Tree lighting

Enjoy the season! Georgetown Phantoms singers and champion whistler Chris Ullman will be performing at the Soldiers Home-DC holiday tree lighting on Tuesday, December 4th. Beginning at 6pm join FOSH’s meet and greet and bring a bottle of wine to share. The program begins at 6:30pm.

Fun for the entire family. Interested? Write Lori Lincoln at volunteerfriendsofsoldiers(at)gmail(dot)com.

FOSH Says Happy Holidays to Soldiers Home Veterans With Flat-Screen TV

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holidays, Tree lighting

Friends of the Soldiers Home participated in its 7th consecutive holiday tree lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and this one was probably the best yet. There were stellular performances by District Strings, Kirov Ballet and Georgetown Phantoms. FOSH then proudly presented the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington with a holiday gift — a brand new 50-inch LG flat screen TV with an industrial-strength cart so it can be easily moved around campus. The Home’s recreational services department had the flat screen on its wish list so that veterans can make use of it in small-group settings such as the arts studio.

FOSH Chairman John Hughes, in presenting the TV, thanked residents for the ongoing blessings they have given to everyone through their service. He also thanked FOSH Volunteer Coordinator Lori Lincoln for executing the more than 50 volunteer events FOSH does each year and FOSH Board Member Kerry Hamblin for her service throughout the year and for arranging the vocal group the Phantoms to perform at the holiday gathering.

Best Holiday Party Has Ballet Dancers, Band and Wine From Friends

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Tree lighting

The annual Soldiers Home holiday tree lighting party Dec. 9 was the best in the four years Friends of the Soldiers Home has been privileged to co-sponsor it. We are proud to have connected earlier this year with Kirov Academy of Ballet, which stunned the audience with a beautiful and moving performance. “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band Brass Quintet also played a wonderful mini-concert with holiday music that captured the spirit of the season. More than 40 guests of Friends of the Soldiers Home brought wine to share with veterans. Friends continued the annual tradition of presenting a wreath to the Home as a gift. A number of children looked wide-eyed at the ballet dancers and Santa and Mrs. Claus, giving the event a family feel. There was just one problem. How will next year’s event possibly top this year’s? We give thanks to Kirov and the Quintet for their great performances, and we congratulate the veterans and staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home-DC for putting together such a beautiful, fun event.

Friends Join Residents For Holiday Tree Lighting Extravaganza

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holidays, Tree lighting

Friends President John Hughes, left, joins Friends Board Member Zach Hartman in presenting a wreath decorated with military emblems at the Soldiers Home Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 10. David Watkins, right, is administrator of the Home’s Washington campus (Photo by Mary Bucci).

About 30 people from Friends of the Soldiers Home joined residents Dec. 10 for the annual holiday tree lighting extravaganza — the first held at the new Scott Building on campus.

This was the third year the Friends co-sponsored the program with the Home. Friends President John Hughes and Board Member Zach Hartman continued the tradition of presenting residents with a holiday wreath decorated with emblems from each branch of the military.

A choir provided entertainment and led a group sing-along, cookies and drinks were served and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were on hand for visits and photographs. David Watkins, the administrator of the Soldiers Home Washington campus, led the group to the Scott Building courtyard for the lighting of a tall, beautiful tree. Everyone then sang “O Christmas Tree” in the crisp night air.

Friends of the Soldiers Home is grateful to residents and staff of the Home for again including us in this annual celebration.