With lights turned out during the Christmas Eve service at Contingency Operating Base Basra, only the candles of the congregation light the chapel, Dec. 24. The service attracted a crowd that filled all 300 seats and left a few standing. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Faces of the congregation at the Contingency Operating Base Basra Christmas Eve service are illuminated by candles lit each from the passing of the flame from one person to another, Dec. 24. The traditional ceremony is meant to represent the effects of love passing from one person to the next. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Members of the congregation at the Contingency Operating Base Basra Christmas Eve service bow their heads during the final benediction Dec. 24. With the chapel lit only by the flames passed around the room from candle to candle, the final candle lighting ceremony represents the effects of love passing from one person to the next. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Sgt. Chris Campbell, team leader for ?The M-Sax-Teens,? a detachment of the 34th Inf. Div. band, warms up before the Christmas Eve service at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Dec. 24. ?When you go out to a place, and you see a smile on someone?s face who maybe hasn?t had something to smile about in a while, it?s really rewarding,? the Waukesha, Wis., native said. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Spc. Samuel M.G. Taylor, a chaplain?s assistant from Stanly County, N.C., 1st Company, 130th Air Reconnaissance Battalion, welcomes Lt. Col. Chuck Roede, from Olympia Washington, executive officer, 17th Fires Brigade, to the Contingency Operating Base Basra Christmas Eve service, Dec. 24. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
Sgt. Brenda Bushera, Wisconsin National Guard, a Chicago native, classically-trained opera singer and vocalist with the 34th Infantry Division Band, accompanied by Sgt. Chris Campbell, from Waukesha, Wis., team leader for ?The M-Sax-Teens,? a detachment of the 34th Infantry Division band, sings a rendition of Ave Maria that brought total silence to the chapel during the Contingency Operating Base Christmas Eve service, Dec. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
The congregation applauds a rendition of Ave Maria by Sgt. Brenda Bushera, Wisconsin National Guard, a Chicago native, classically-trained opera singer and vocalist with the 34th Infantry Division Band, Dec. 24. The Christmas Eve service at COB Basra attracted a crowd that filled all 300 seats and left a few standing. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
a ceremony usually associated with the acts between individuals passing on the light of love, one person lights the candle of another, who will in turn light another at the Contingency Operating Base Bara Christmas Eve service, Dec. 24. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey)
