FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
During the holiday season, Soldiers may find themselves far from home, and the Fort Eustis community aims to make their season festive, warm and welcoming.
As a show of thanks, Soldiers had the opportunity to showcase their creative skills and share some cheer with their neighbors through the 15th annual Holiday Card Lane competition.
Units from across Fort Eustis gathered their most artistic Soldiers and created giant "holiday cards" to hang on Washington Boulevard, Fort Eustis' main thoroughfare. Judges rated the cards based on a number of categories, such as originality and theming. The top three units received Morale, Welfare and Recreation gift cards. All eight units that participated will have their cards displayed until Jan. 2, 2014.
This year, A Company, 1st Battalion, 222nd Aviation Regiment took home first place, Joint Task Force Civil Support took second place, and A Co., 1st Bn.., 210th Avn. Rgt., took third place.
"This competition helps bring more holiday spirit to Fort Eustis," said Shirley Strong, Army Community Service mobilization and deployment specialist. "It builds camaraderie among the units, and let's our more creative Soldiers show off their talent to the whole installation."
Aside from keeping holiday spirits high, the competitors also aimed to highlight the theme of unity and diversity.
"This year, the theme was realized through the act of creating the cards," said Strong. "Soldiers are naturally diverse, given their backgrounds, so the challenge of making something for our community brings them together. The unity between these different people creates the artwork they give to the people they love."