Christmas trees at the Pacific Fleet Club

MS Amy Bakstad and Lt(N) Andrew Brumwell of Seamanship Division accepted the prize for Seamanship Division’s “Best Griswald Tree”.

A flurry of decorating and creativity took place in the Wardroom, The Chiefs’ and Petty Officers’ Mess, and the Pacific Fleet Club during the first two weeks of December as members from 25 MARPAC units decorated pre-lit Christmas trees in a show of holiday spirit and healthy competition.

Units that participated competed for prizes in three coveted categories: (1) Most Festive Design; (2) Best Griswold Design (for the most outlandish tree); and (3) Best Charlie Brown (for most commercialized or valiant effort).

The contest was judged Dec. 16, and the panel included the Base Commander, Capt (N) Waddell; the Base Administration Officer, Cdr Golden; the PMC of the C& POs’ Mess, CPO1 Bodie; the Formation Chief, CPO1 Feltham; the Base Chief, CPO1 Taylor; the Formation Master Seaman, MS Ensom; and the Holiday Event Coordinator, Christine Farrington.

It was a difficult decision to choose a winner in each of the three categories. All the trees were decorated with creativity and imagination that it was clear the holiday spirit was alive and well in the Formation.

In the end, however, there could only be one winner in each category.

The judges awarded the title of Most Festive Tree to HMCS Regina.

The title of Best Griswold tree went to Seamanship Division at CFFSE, and the Best Charlie Brown tree went to the staff at CANEX.

Honourable mention was given to 1 Dental Unit Detachment for their heartwarming reminder that the holidays do not have to be painful.

MasterCard gift certificates were presented to the winning units by the Base Commander on Dec. 18.

Judges and organizers for this year’s holiday lighting program would like to convey a sincere thank you to all of the participants in this year’s Formation Tree Decorating Contest.

Participants included:
HMCS Regina
Military Police, CFB Esquimalt Detachment
CANEX
SISIP Financial Services
Formation Safety and Environment
HMCS Winnipeg
1 Dental Unit Detachment
Base Information Systems
Base Comptroller
Base Executive Services
Pacific Fleet Club
HMCS Algonquin
Canadian Fleet Pacific HQ
HMCS Protecteur
Canadian Forces’ Fleet School Esquimalt-Seamanship Division
Military Family Resource Centre
Patrol Craft Training Unit
HMCS Oriole
Maritime Forces Pacific / Joint Task Force Pacific Headquarters
CFMWS Personnel Support Program (PSP) Services
NOTC Venture
Base Logistics
Base Administration
Assistant Judge Advocate General
New Capability Introduction Unit

Christine Farrington
PSP