HCC HONORS SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WITH HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF CAROLS AND LIGHTS

Halifax Community College celebrated the holiday season with a community carol sing, lighting of the campus trees, luminaries, and special remembrances in honor of HCC family members serving in the military. The audience regrouped and had to bring the outdoor event inside when the rain started.

The much-needed showers put out the candles of the 500 luminaries along the campus drive, but did not dampen spirits. More than 100 crowded into the main lobby to take part in the military tribute and to hear special music provided by campus faculty and staff members and the new HCC chorus, comprised of students and faculty.

The event was a special tribute to fallen heroes in the Afghan conflict and to members of the HCC family who are serving in the military. In opening remarks, HCC president, Dr. Ted Gasper said, "We wanted to provide honor and recognition to our servicemen." He also asked the crowd to share in a moment of silence to remember the U.S. servicemen killed in the line of duty in the war in Afghanistan.

Three uniformed servicemen, Sgt. Richard Davis, SFC James Shepard and Captain David Painter, Army recruiters, lit candles in tribute to our men and women in service. They read a list of names of family members of HCC staff, faculty and students who are currently serving in the military.

There was hardly a dry eye at the end of the ceremonies when the audience joined HCC instructor Darian Hybl and pianist Beth Gray-Robertson in singing the Bing Crosby classic, "I'll Be Home for Christmas."