Santa drives a Corvette

Photo By Staff Sgt. Andy Orozco | Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 26 celebrate the holidays with their 21st annual Holiday Party at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) Club aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, Dec. 7. Four Corvette clubs attend the event, parking their prized vehicles in front of an MV-22B Osprey and donating toys to local military children aboard the air station.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

12.18.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Andy Orozco 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Four Eastern Carolina Corvette clubs traveled to Marine Corps Air Station New River to donate toys to local military children at the 21st Annual Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 26 holiday party at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) Club, Dec. 7.

“Gunnery Sgt. Mike Casey, former MALS-26 Marine, started the event with his Corvette club when he was active duty,” said Kristin Jones, MALS-26 family readiness officer. “After he passed away some years ago, his wife Phyllis Casey continued the tradition in his memory.”

For the past 21 years, the Twin Rivers Corvette Club from Jacksonville, N.C., the Cape Fear Corvette Club from Wilmington, N.C., and the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand Corvette Clubs from Myrtle Beach, S.C., have been attending the event to spread goodwill and remember the name of Mike Casey.

The members who attended the event parked their Corvettes in front of an MV-22B Osprey provided by the squadron and enjoyed a holiday luncheon at the SNCO Club. After the members of the Corvette clubs ate a holiday meal, they dropped off their toys and continued on their way home.

“This event is important to the Marines and families of MALS-26, as it reminds them that people in the community appreciate all the hard work they do, not just during the holidays but all year long,” said Jones.

Jones also said that it is a good way for many of the members of the Corvette clubs to stay in touch with their military families.

“Many of the members of the Corvette Clubs are veterans, so it is great to see that even after leaving active duty, there are still opportunities to connect with their military family,” said Jones. “This event honors Gunnery Sgt. Casey’s legacy as his desire to help military families has continued even after his death and continues to gain support from new Corvette clubs year after year.”

• Date Taken: 12.18.2013
• Date Posted: 12.18.2013 14:42
• Story ID: 118401
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US