MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Marines volunteered at the Mini Marines program aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 11. The family event was organized by Marine Corps Community Services South Carolina to build camaraderie amongst and promote a family atmosphere for the military children aboard the air station.
“I am utterly impressed by all the Marines that are out here to volunteer for
the families of air station; it is really
awesome to see,” said Lt. Col. Michael
P. Brennan, the commanding officer
of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
122. “It shows that these Marines realize they are a part of an organization
that is bigger than them. It makes me
proud to be a Marine.”
Mini Marines is held quarterly by
MCCS-South Carolina. The children
were split into different platoons and
given different colored handkerchiefs
to identify their group. Each platoon
was led by two Marine volunteers and
cycled through different activity stations.
“I love doing this event,” said Paula
Dyson, the volunteer coordinator program director. “It is absolutely true,
‘Born into, sworn into, married into – we
are one big Marine Corps family’. We
are here today because of the Marine
volunteers, without them events like
this wouldn’t be possible.”
Forty-five Marines and eight Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge, and Skills mentors volunteered
at the event. Set up and orientation began at 7:30 a.m. to prepare for a 9 a.m.
start. The Marines at the activity stations planned how to run their station
and the platoon leaders began leading
stretches and warm-ups with their
groups. The event featured a toy rifle
range, team building challenges, Marine Corps Martial Arts lessons, a modified Combat Fitness Test, and a display
by the Expeditionary Fire Fighting
Marines.
“This event is so important because
it builds camaraderie amongst the Marines, their families and really broadens the horizon for these children,”
said Sgt. Jasmine Smith, the training
non-commissioned officer with Marine
Aviation Logistics Squadron 31. “They
get to see what their parent does at
work and see what it means to be a Marine.”
At the end of the event the platoon
leaders gave each Mini Marine their
dog tags and the parents greet the children with home-made banners. The
Marines also receive letters of appreciation for their volunteer efforts.
“Volunteering is an essential part
of developing as a leader,” said Smith.
“But for me it is also an essential part
of being a Marine; giving back to an institution that has given me everything.
These kids are a part of the Marine
Corps family; therefore they are my
family too. Volunteering is something
I have to do.”