Tree lighting ceremony features singing, hot chocolate Published Dec. 11, 2012 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- More than 110 people attended the Vance Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m., Dec. 5, across the street from Eisenhower Elementary School on base. Thirty-seven students from Eisenhower, under the direction of Nancy Dillard, entertained the crowd with holiday songs. Col. James Abatti, the 71st Operations Group commander, invited the child of a deployed Airman to join him and throw the switch that brought 900 red, white and blue lights to life on the 25-foot pine tree. After the singing, those attending the Christmas Tree lighting were invited to the Community Chapel Activity Center for hot chocolate and cookies. "We served nearly 500 cookies and four gallons of hot chocolate," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jon Bravinder, the organizer of the event. The Vance Christmas Tree is decorated with more than 50 ornaments and 800 feet of red and silver garland. To prevent Oklahoma winds from stripping decoration off the tree, Troy McDonald and his team from the CSC Civil Engineering Pavement and Grounds shop zip-tied them into place. In keeping with the Air Education and Training Command's Cost Conscious Culture, the lights on the tree are LEDs, using less electricity and lasting longer. "We also use fewer extension cords now," said McDonald.