MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Marines, Sailors and veterans of the local community celebrated a military appreciation day on Laurel Bay, S.C. Aug. 25.
The event was held to foster cohesion between the tri-command and the local community, as well as, to thank the local members of the military for their service.
“This day is just a small token of appreciation for all of the hard work that our local military does,” said Blakely Williams, the president and chief executive officer of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This event is just one example of the things that we can accomplish when we work together as a team.”
Businesses and organizations from the Lowcountry volunteered to give back to the Tri-command. The free event included games, a live DJ, bounce houses, a dunk tank from St. Peter’s Catholic Church as well as food and refreshments offered by The Marine Corps League.
“I am personally amazed at the dedication of all of the sponsors, planners and coordinators,” said Dale Ramirez, the executive officer of Naval Hospital Beaufort. “An event like this would be impossible to pull off without the commitment of all the amazing volunteers that came out today.”
According to the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce’s website, The Tri-command is Northern Beaufort County’s primary economic contributor. The three installations combined directly employ more than 19,240 military and civilian personnel. According to an economic impact study completed in January 2017 by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the combined direct economic impact for military and civilians for the three installations is more than $993.8 million for the area with a total impact of more than $2.2 billion on the local economy.
As the year comes to a close, the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce will host more events for the different holiday seasons. On October 26 is a Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Beaufort and December 1-3 is a holiday celebration with the annual Christmas boat parade and “Night on the Town”.
“The Lowcountry and MCAS Beaufort have a fantastic working relationship,” said Col. Timothy Miller, the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort. “I’ve been to places where the communities don’t embrace you nearly as much as the community does here. On behalf of all the Marines and Sailors of the air station, thank you very much for welcoming and supporting us and making us part of your family.”