Cannon celebrates holidays

Cannon Air Force Base personnel gathered to celebrate Christmas with a tree lighting and Christmas parade.

The event took place Dec. 2 and included 12 floats, hot cocoa and games for children.

2nd Lt. Marilyn Smith with Cannon Force Support Squadron said the event grew this year because the base itself is growing.

“We wanted to make everything bigger,” Smith said. “The base is growing, we have more people and we want to give them the activities they deserve.”

Capt. Peter Baldwin attended the event with his wife and two children.

“It’s a really good experience for everyone to celebrate as a base and come together,” he said. “Everyone throws in the spirit and everyone has a good time.”

Military spouse Heather Jaggie said she hadn’t attended any events on base until the Christmas celebration but she enjoyed it. Her son sang with the Ranchvale Elementary choir who sang during the parade.

“The sense of community is a good thing,” she said of the event. “It’s good knowing you have a place.”

Master Sgt. Will Mobley said the parade was “amazing” and “very creative.”

“You gotta love it,” he said inbetween shooting photos of his family in front of the light up tree. “Especially on a military base. Everyone is not going to be here for the holidays so this makes it more special.”