Junior Marines host picnic, raise money for Ball

Marine Corps News ^ | Cpl. Ken Melton

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N. C. (May 24th, 2006) -- Junior Marines with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Special Operations Support Group held a picnic for their unit May 24th that left some of the troops with more food on their faces than in their stomach. As part of an effort to help raise funds for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, some of ‘The Few and The Proud’ sacrificed the latter and took one for the team during a pie-in-the face auction.

“This picnic was all about building camaraderie and showing thanks to all the Marines and Sailors of our unit who have supported us on all our events,” said Pfc. Katherine E. DesCoteaux, a personnel clerk, who helped organize the event. “The whip cream pie in the face auction was all in good fun and a great way to raise money.”

The junior Marines have been holding monthly meetings since October to discuss how to help the community and their command.

Since then, they have donated their time to helping the Department of Social Services and becoming the driving force on beautification projects for their unit.

“I think it’s awesome that they do things like this even though they have a lot of other things to do,” Company First Sergeant, Lisa K. Nilsson, recipient of the second highest bid said. “The day they decided to have the event came at a time of transition where many Marines are leaving and new faces are beginning to arrive. This helps say goodbye to them and welcome the new troops in the unit.”

The picnic was potluck. The NCOs and above who did not provide dishes donated money to help make it a success.

“We decided to make it potluck because we knew there would be a variety of food and drinks,” DesCoteaux, a 19-year-old, Jacksonville, Ala., native stated.

The Non-NCOs took charge in organizing and preparing the food and area with support from their NCOs.

“I never had an opportunity like this when I was a junior Marine,” said the 39-year-old Nilsson, a Penn-Argyle, Penn., native. “It is a great way for them to learn leadership and organization skills.”

Spirits ran high as all ranks participated in the auction that included junior Marines all ‘pieing’ their section heads and section heads returning the favor to their subordinates. However, the commanding officer of Headquarters and Logistics Company, ‘took the cake’ after receiving the highest bid and taking a strawberry cake to the face.

“It’s phenomenal that they are the ones to take initiative to address unit cohesion”, Maj. Alfredo Dubois, said. “We tell all of our Marines and Sailors about mission accomplishment and troop welfare, but they exhibit it.”

“They are taking on things as simple as this (the picnic and auction) to help address a very special thing as our Birthday Ball,” the 39-year-old Gallup, N.M., native commented. “It’s important that Marines not just of today, but those of yesterday and tomorrow recognize who we are and what we have done. We as leaders have to acknowledge and support our young Marines when they have events like this because in the end, that’s what it’s all about--the Marines.”

The event, viewed as a success, raised more than 500 dollars for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball with most of the food eaten and not a full can of whip cream in sight.

[SandRat]

Staff Sgt. Heather D. Vecchia and 1st Lt. Farred J. Goodhue with Marine Corps Special Operation Support Group, pie their Marine, Cpl. Grace M. Kelly, during an auction that was part of a picnic hosted by the unit's junior Marines.
Photo by: Cpl. Ken Melton

Junior Marines with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Headquarters and Marine Corps Special Operation Support Group, held a picnic and pie in the auction to help raise money for the birthday ball fund recently.
Photo by: Cpl. Ken Melton

[SandRat]

Junior Marines!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[TaxRelief]

Anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day, Alia OR TaxRelief if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[Tax-chick]

Is that a trick question? I'm thinking that if there's not more coffee in the pot, someone's going to get hurt bad!

[Alia]

bttt

[wolfpat]

Yes, I do see a similarity.

[cf_river_rat]

Yeah I think I'm following your thinking...and I've been wondering if there were any developments. Is there anything to report "over yonder" yet, or a need I can help meet?