Several members of the military community dedicated a tree to honor members of the military serving our country who had to miss Christmas with family and friends, at the Hendersonville City Hall, 101 Maple Drive North, Hendersonville, Tenn.
Because these dedicated men and women have served during the holidays, they understand the loneliness military members and their families feel especially at Christmas.
The tree was decorated by USMC Lance Corporal Cornelius Holmes’ mother, Genma Holmes, for a fundraiser for Summer County CASA this month. “I never cried so much. I could not stop thinking about my son. When he came home, the first thing we did was celebrate Christmas. I did not care if it was in the middle of May,” said Holmes.
The American Flag was hung above the tree.
Holmes visits Grace M. Eaton Childcare Center
by Wanda Clay
Parents, grandparents, friends and family visit Grace M. Eaton Childcare Center for an afternoon of Christmas jubilee. The students and the faculty prepared a festive Christmas program that featured each class. From the two year olds and upwards, the presentations were a special treat to all in attendance.
Grace M. Eaton Center was founded in 1926 as it was thought that “it is critically important that everyone should have the same chance to grow, regardless of their life’s situations.” Grace M. Eaton Center provides care for infants to 12 year olds, stating “the nurturing, knowledge and discipline is that all of us need to reach our full potential.”
At the Christmas program, teachers sang as a group, duets and with their students as they had prepared some of the classic Christmas hits: Silent Night, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and many others.
As a treat to the students, Genma Holmes made a visit. Holmes, dressed as an adorable female Santa, gathered all of the children around a large rocking chair as she read, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” She said, “I love coming here every year! I have been coming to do this for years.”
Following the program, everyone was invited to share in a prepared feast of chicken, dressing, macaroni & cheese, sweet potatoes, rolls, ham, cookies, cake and many other holiday treats.
Grace M. Eaton is a childcare and parental resource center located at 1708 Pearl Street. For childcare information call 615-329-3341.
To see more photos, click here.
