Team Shaw gathers to celebrate holiday season

Lights shine on a Holiday Tree at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Nov 29, 2018. This tree was part of the annual Holiday Display Lighting Ceremony hosted by the 20th Fighter Wing Chaplain Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Sweeney.)

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Team Shaw gathers to celebrate holiday season

Spectators listen to a band perform holiday songs during the annual Holiday Display Lighting Ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 29, 2018. The band was a combination of cadets from the Camden Military Academy as well as Soldiers from the 208th Army Band. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Sweeney)

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Team Shaw gathers to celebrate holiday season

Team Shaw children play prior to the start of the annual Holiday Display Lighting Ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 29, 2018. The 20th Fighter Wing Chaplain Corps hosts this event each year to highlight the various faith groups and their holiday traditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Sweeney)

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Team Shaw gathers to celebrate holiday season

U.S. Air Force Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and local boy and girl scouts, flip the switch to turn on the lights at the annual Holiday Display Lighting Ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base S.C. Nov. 29, 2018. The scouts came to the event to volunteer by passing out cookies and hot chocolate after the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Sweeney)

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Team Shaw gathers to celebrate holiday season

Published Nov. 30, 2018
By Senior Airman Sean Sweeney
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Team Shaw came together to kick off the holiday season at the annual Holiday Display Lighting at the Friendship Chapel, Nov. 29.

The 20th Fighter Wing Chaplain Corps hosted this event to bring the base together and teach them about traditions of different faith groups.

“We have so many different cultures that we all are just not aware of,” said Master Sgt. Aimee Roth, 20th Fighter Wing religious affairs superintendent. “So it’s important for us to be able to celebrate our differences and come together as one team and one family to honor those traditions.”

During the ceremony Team Shaw members illuminated a Yule Log, Nativity Scene, Menorah and a Holiday Tree. However after the event, the Menorah’s lights were turned off and will be lit during Hanukah.

The event also included speakers who described each of the various faith groups represented and explained the significance of each display.

“It’s like everyone has a voice,” said Beth McCann, event attendee. “All of the different faith groups that were presented today each person got to get up there and share about their faith, it was great having everybody here for that.”

Approximately 180 people attended this year’s event, coming together to celebrate the season and each other’s traditions, raising morale and togetherness.