MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
Headquarters and
Headquarters Squadron held a fall festival at the chapel aboard Marine Corps
Air Station Beaufort Oct. 17. Marines, spouses and children were invited for a
day of autumn activities to kick off the holiday season.
“This is the first
squadron event of the season,” said Staff Sgt. Melissa Garbutt, the training
chief with H&HS. “We have great activities for the kids and food for
everyone.”
Activities
included pumpkin painting, kid friendly sumo wrestling, pumpkin throwing,
bouncy houses and more. Marines and their families had the opportunity to play
and relax together.
“It’s about unit
cohesion as well as bringing Marines and civilians together in a family
setting,” said Sgt. Maj. Edward Hebron, the sergeant major of H&HS.
“Everyone is out here meeting each other and just having a great time.”
The
Marines get to interact every day during work, but seldom get the chance to
spend time with each other’s families in a casual setting.
“The
biggest thing is promoting the idea that this unit cares about families and
cares about giving people opportunities to interact and have a good time
outside of work,” said Hebron.
The
event was not only for those with families, but single Marines as well. For
many of them, this is their first holiday season away from home.
“This
is also for those Marines who don’t have the opportunity to go home on a
regular basis,” said Hebron. “We need to support them and let them know that we
are their family too.”
Volunteers from
the air station helped set up the tents and run the activities. Aircraft Rescue
and Fire Fighting brought several trucks to display.
“We are out here
to help set up the event and to make sure everyone’s having a good time,” said Cpl.
Francis Provat, a firefighter with ARFF.
Even
though the volunteers were working the event, they were still welcome to
participate in the festivities and engage with the guests.
“I’m glad to see a
lot of the families out here today,” said Provat. “There are definitely a lot
of young people and that’s really what’s important. We all know each other form
work but having everyone here with their kids and spouses is a great thing.”
In the past, this
festival has been open to the whole base but this year H&HS decided to hold
their own.
“Last year we had
an event for everyone on base but today is just for Headquarters and
Headquarters Squadron so we can have that feeling of community,” said Hebron.
As the first event
of the holiday season, the fall festival sets the stage for many other events
and occasions. The next event is the unit costume run Oct. 30. Marines from
H&HS are invited to dress up for the run.
“Then comes the time
off we get for Thanksgiving and Christmas season,” said Garbutt. “[H&HS]
will hold events for them as well.”
Senior
Marines, junior Marines, spouses and children of all ages enjoyed this year’s
festival which lasted approximately four hours.
“Things are going great today and we had a
good turn-out,” said Hebron. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
In
the spirit of the holiday season, everyone in the H&HS family was welcome.
“This base is our
home and everyone should feel comfortable here,” said Provat.