On Dec. 3, a Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier and his family got to plug in the lights on a 25-foot tall Noble Tree sitting in the State Capitol Rotunda in Olympia, an unofficial signal that the holidays have officially arrived.

"This year the governor's office asked JBLM to select a soldier and family to participate in the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. Several units base-wide were asked to nominate candidates to represent and Sgt. Barretta and his family were selected by the leadership of I Corps," said Joseph Piek of JBLM Public Affairs.

Sgt. Kevin Barretta, who is originally from California, said that he loved the Army and in fact, just re-enlisted a few months ago because he can't imagine another doing something else. Experiences like this only sweeten the deal.

Barretta, who has been with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team as an infantryman for the past four years, returned home from a yearlong deployment in June. Together with his wife, Amanda, and their two daughters, Madison, 6, and Abigail, 2, he not only lit the tree, but met Gov. Christine Gregoire and her husband.

"My daughters are the most excited," explained Barretta a few hours before the event. "They have new dresses and they get to meet Santa. So I'm excited to for them."

For over two decades, the Association of Washington Business has sponsored the Holiday Tree at the Washington State Capitol and someone special is always invited to the ceremonial lighting, including members of the National Guard.

"A few years ago we began a trend of inviting all the military members in our community," said Jocelyn McCabe, vice president of Communications for the Association of Washington Business. "It's a fun honor for our active duty servicemen and women and their families. Plus we love having them involved to kick off the holidays in Olympia."

For Barretta and his family, it was the perfect event to mark not only the holidays, but to celebrate their time in Washington and at JBLM. In May, the Barrettas will PCS to Fort Hood, Texas.