Navy men’s lights on Xmas tree bring joy to kids

IT wasn’t just a usual light-a-tree program that usually happens in hotels and malls.

But the sailors and Marines of the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) had to uproot a live pine tree at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base and replanted it at their headquarters in barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City to serve as their Christmas tree for their own light-a-tree program.

This was the first time in the Navforcen’s 34-year history that the Navy men adopted this program, the proceeds of which will be donated to two children’s foundations –  Children’s Joy Foundation in sitio Nasipit, barangay Talamban, Cebu City and Saint Mary Euphresia in barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

They bought Christmas lanterns made out of Capiz shells which will be sold, placed and lighted on the Christmas tree at the Mactan Air Base.

Each lantern would be resold at P300 each to buyers for the light-a-tree program.

The Navy men also got help from individuals and groups like Barili Vice Mayor Nelson Garcia, the staff member of Rep  Red Durano of Cebu’s 5th district, Yamie Vestal, and the Army’s 3rd Civil Relations Group-Civil Relations Service (3CRG-CRS), who share the same aim with the Navy personnel to purchase lanterns for the program.

The Navy men made sure that the tree uprooted two weeks before lighting ceremony on Dec. 8 will survive at the Navy’s headquarters.

They raise P8,800 which was divided between the two foundations. Each were given P4,400 each.

On Dec. 8, the sailors and Marines efforts were paid with the smiles of the kid beneficiaries who were present at the lighting ceremony.

The kids from the two foundations gifted the sailors and Marines with songs and dances.

The Children’s Joy Foundation kids rondalla all dressed in green suits serenaded the sailors and marines with their Pachelbel songs while St. Mary Euphresia’s dance group performed a dance number.

All these were the children’s way of thanking the sailors and marines who put all their effort in setting up the 15-foot tree for them.

The Navy men also gave the children loot bags containing school supplies, candies and toys.

Navforcen chief, Commodore Zyril Carlos said that this is a manifestation of how small contributions would lead to bigger things.

Being in the service means being away from their family and most of the time they had to spend Christmas wherever they are assigned.

Carlos said that the light a tree program is one of a kind for Navforcen since their usual way of celebrating Christmas is through medical and dental programs with the community.

Sailors on the ship usually spend Christmas at sea where for them, protecting the seas and the marine resources are their way of giving in this season while the marines usually spend Christmas in keeping peace in their own area of responsibility.

“Let people understand that fighting is not a means in order to come up with development but instead peace is essential so that development could start. Those are the three aspects of Christmas as far as the Navy is concerned,” he told CEBU DAILY NEWS.

From afar, ships passing by Navforcen’s base could see the tall tree where a green star lantern shines brightly.

Like all navigators, sailors consider the stars as their guide at sea.

With the Christmas star lanterns adorned at the pine tree, Carlos hopes that this will become the guide for others to follow.

Like the pine tree, it would take time to grow and be as lively again as it was in its original place.

With the tree’s roots now established on that ground, Carlos is looking forward that its roots will soon extend.

These roots will symbolize the light a tree program that Carlos wants to hand down to the coming commanders who will lead Navforcen and for its sailors and marines to continue on the program that they have started.

Hopefully by next year, they will be able to extend its roots to other children in other foundations. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus