This year’s Rockingham Christmas Tree lighting was a special one for honoree long-time City Clerk Johnsey Lunsford.

She’d already planned to retire after 30 years of service with the city, but perhaps more special to her has been the support she’s received from Rockingham and the surrounding community after the wounding of her son in an attack at Fort Hood in early November.

“This one really does stand out in my mind,” she said before connecting the electric cords which lit the tree. “Really, I just want to thank all the citizens of Rockingham and Richmond County for their prayers and thoughts during this time.”

Lunsford said her son Alonso has undergone several successful surgeries, and is now at home recuperating in Texas.

In his address before the tree lighting, Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin called attention to the plight of Lunsford’s son Alonso, asking that everyone keep he and his family in their hearts and prayers over the course of the holiday season.

“Despite being wounded four times, he was still able to help others escape the gunfire,” McLaurin said. “This makes him a true hero.”

Hundreds gathered to make holiday merriment on the Cole Plaza beside Rockingham City Hall Tuesday night at the lighting of the city’s Christmas Tree.

While many reported being there to see their children or grandchildren sing during interviews, others were eager to embrace the Yule Tide season.

This was the case with 13-year-old Rockingham resident Nada Mohammed, who said she enjoys the fellowship of the lighting of the Christmas tree.

“I guess the feeling of the warmth and goodwill are what draw me to it,” she said. “It’s really fun to see everyone together and happy. I like to watch the little kids sing, and just see how pretty the tree is again.”

For Cleve Baxley, the presence of a younger family member in the chorus brought him out, but he also enjoyed the tree-lighting.

“It’s the draw of all the children from the chorus,” he explained the attendance. “But it’s nice to see the tree lit.”

“it just does something to you to see the tree lit, or at least to me it does, It’s just an overwhelming feeling to see this one,” Julia Morris explained.

She said she attended to see her grandchildren, fifth grader Brandon Morris and third grader Jordan Shae Morris.

For Delma Hudson, the feeling of community is the best thing about the annual Christmas Tree lighting.

“It brings the community together, and that’s good to see,“ he said. “It’s just always been a family tradition, and it’s good to see it done as a community.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.