Ed. — Archived from the Sunday, Dec. 17, print edition.
VIRGINIA BEACH — There is a scene in the comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in which Clark Griswold calls his family outside to witness the first lighting of all the holiday lights on their house.
He’s gone overboard, but nothing happens when he plugs in the lights.
In frustration, he kicks over his lawn ornaments. His son figures out the circuit breaker is off. Once it’s on, a gazillion lights come on and cause a citywide power outage.
I’ve never gone to that extreme. We stick with electric candles in the windows and a lawn decoration or two. But I admire the ambitious handiwork of others.
We love to drive and admire holiday lights. We grab hot chocolate, hop in the car and crank up holiday tunes. Then we spend time on the road to see the amazing and inspiring decorations our neighbors create.
I know we’re not alone, and our family’s tradition certainly didn’t start with us. When I was child, my sisters and I put on our PJs and slippers and climbed in the back of our 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Station Wagon to explore Norfolk. Our night always ended with a trip to the Naval Station Norfolk to see the immense ships adorned in thousands of lights. Back then, you could drive along the piers for an up-close look. My sisters and I gazed in amazement.
I reached out to Kelly Wirfel, a spokesperson for Naval Station Norfolk, to ask about the history of these navy ship displays. She believes the tradition began back nearly a century ago as more and more ships began using Norfolk as their home base. Today, the tradition has a name – Operation Decorama. Ships, shore commands and squadrons are invited to participate and compete. This has taken place for the past 27 years, and Carter Hall – a barracks for sailors on the base – is the defending champion.
Judging this year was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, but that was the day this edition of The Independent News went to press, and this year’s winner had not yet been announced.
Unfortunately, most of us can no longer see for ourselves because Naval Station Norfolk understandably is closed to folks who don’t have a reason to be there. I’m sorry that my wife and daughter will not have the opportunity to see the displays the way I did so many years ago.
But it is comforting to know that this grand tradition continues at the naval station. It remains another sign that our military brings light to Hampton Roads in many ways above and beyond the defense of our country.
And that’s what holiday lights are about to me. They bring light and warmth on winter nights and, I hope, help keep the darkness and cold at bay.
“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life,” the author Roy T. Bennett once wrote. “Be the light that helps others see. It is what gives life its deepest significance.”
This is a time of year where we celebrate our lives, our faiths and family and friends. Many of us sing carols, exchange presents and dress in red and green.
I hope you have a chance to have a cup of hot chocolate, round up the kids and drive off to enjoy the lights of the season. Whatever you celebrate, we have much to appreciate– family, neighbors, neighborhoods, our Navy and plenty more.
And, while I’m thinking about it, here’s to a resilient power grid.
The author, a business coach and consultant, is active in community service and enjoys time with his wife, Kim, and daughter, Kara. Reach him via email at mckco85@aol.com.
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