An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo Information

Sgt. Craig Ledyard accepts a children’s coat from Jean McElroy on behalf of Marine Corps Community Services at the Indigo Run housing community Sept. 12. Indigo Run raised more than 250 for donation to military children in the Beaufort area. Ledyard is a motor vehicle operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, Marine Aircraft Group 31. McElroy is the marketing and communications director of Indigo Run.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jonah Lovy

Hilton Head community gives back, Sweathogs display vehicles

16 Sep 2015 | Lance Cpl. Jonah Lovy Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 displayed some of their equipment at t the Indigo Run housing community’s car show in Hilton Head, S.C. Sept. 12.

The Marines with MWSS-273 had the opportunity to display their vehicles and explain their operations during the event. The Marines also accepted children’s winter coats on behalf of Marine Corps Community Services. The more than 250 coats will be donated to the MCCS Family Services Center.

            In addition to the Marine’s display and the coat donations, the event featured a classic car show and an art gallery.

“This is our third annual car and art show for the Indigo Run community,” said Jean McElroy, the marketing and communications director of Indigo Run. “This year we wanted to add a coat donation component to the event.”

The residents of Indigo Run decided to use their resources to help out their local military community.

“We’ve asked our community to donate coats for children of military families and we asked for the participation of Beaufort because we wanted a local tie to contribute to,” said McElroy. “Everyone has been elated to have a way to give back and make a difference.”

The event was attended by many military admirers and veterans eager to lend a hand in whatever way they could.  

“We got a huge excited response from the community when we advertised that the Marines were going to be here,” said McElroy.

Indigo Run citizens got a chance to get up close and personal with real life Marine Corps equipment. 

“They’re responding very well,” said Sgt. Craig Ledyard, a motor vehicle operator with MWSS-273 aboard MCAS Beaufort. “They’re engaging a lot. We like it when they ask questions and actually climb into the vehicles. It went very well for us.”

Vehicles on display were the M1151High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, better known as a Humvee, a MKR18 Logistics Vehicle System Replacement and a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, better known as a seven-ton.

“We like coming out here to show off the different kinds of vehicles that the Marine Corps has to offer in the motor transportation community,” said Ledyard. “We could not be more grateful to these people for supporting us the way they do.”