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Romeo Hernandez, 2½, gives Santa five after getting his photo taken with the jolly one at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. Romeo was there with his mother Kimberly. His father, Spc. Rafael Hernandez Jr., is deployed to Afghanistan with Company C, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment.

Romeo Hernandez, 2½, gives Santa five after getting his photo taken with the jolly one at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. Romeo was there with his mother Kimberly. His father, Spc. Rafael Hernandez Jr., is deployed to Afghanistan with Company C, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Romeo Hernandez, 2½, gives Santa five after getting his photo taken with the jolly one at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. Romeo was there with his mother Kimberly. His father, Spc. Rafael Hernandez Jr., is deployed to Afghanistan with Company C, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment.

Romeo Hernandez, 2½, gives Santa five after getting his photo taken with the jolly one at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. Romeo was there with his mother Kimberly. His father, Spc. Rafael Hernandez Jr., is deployed to Afghanistan with Company C, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

The Baumholder High School choir performs at the community's tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. The community held the ceremony in front of the Rheinlander Club on Smith Barracks, then continued the festivities inside with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Despite most of the base's soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan, the mood was quite festive.

The Baumholder High School choir performs at the community's tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. The community held the ceremony in front of the Rheinlander Club on Smith Barracks, then continued the festivities inside with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Despite most of the base's soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan, the mood was quite festive. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Staff Sgt. Colin Jones helps his daughter Celina, 5, write a letter to Santa at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. The community held the ceremony in front of the Rheinlander Club on Smith Barracks, then continued the festivities inside with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Jones is with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment.

Staff Sgt. Colin Jones helps his daughter Celina, 5, write a letter to Santa at the Baumholder tree-lighting ceremony Thursday night. The community held the ceremony in front of the Rheinlander Club on Smith Barracks, then continued the festivities inside with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Jones is with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Members of the Baumholder  garrison look at and take photos in front of the community's Christmas tree after it was lit at a ceremony at Smith Barracks on Thursday night.  The festivities continued inside the Rheinlander Club with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Despite most of the base's soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan, the mood was quite festive.

Members of the Baumholder garrison look at and take photos in front of the community's Christmas tree after it was lit at a ceremony at Smith Barracks on Thursday night. The festivities continued inside the Rheinlander Club with song, dance, children's activities and photos with Santa. Despite most of the base's soldiers being deployed to Afghanistan, the mood was quite festive. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Kids cheered as Santa Claus made his way to Baumholder Thursday night to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Rather than a sleigh, he came to the Army garrison atop a local fire truck. After a short countdown, the white lights of the tree were switched on.

Parents and kids then lined up to meet Santa, who posed for photos within the Rheinlander Club. Kimberly Hernandez sat her 2-year-old son Romeo on Santa’s lap. Romeo eagerly whispered into his ear. Hernandez’s husband, Spc. Rafael Hernandez, is currently serving in Afghanistan with C Company, 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. But he is scheduled to return home soon.

"We’re going to wait for him to come home to celebrate,"Hernandez said. "If it’s Christmas in January, that is OK."

Patrons were also treated to a number of choirs, singing Christmas carols, and ballet dancers performing scenes from The Nutcracker Suite.”

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