MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. – Marines, sailors and civilians of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River gathered at the air station Single Marine Program center to celebrate the good memories made, the work accomplished and the years to come at the Blues, Brews and Barbecue event, July 25.
Some guests enjoyed competitive games of ping pong while others divvied up solids and stripes at the pool tables.
Many took advantage of the opportunity to chat with coworkers in a relaxed, non-work setting, while local band Joe Baes Project set up on stage.
Marines from Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting manned the grills outside the center, preparing a free barbecue dinner for the party.
Before dinner was served, Lt. Col. Walter S. Lee, H&HS commanding officer, stood on the stage and thanked his squadron for their dedication to quality performance and to upholding the standards of the Marine Corps.
“Performance-wise this squadron has always done phenomenally,” Lee said. “I could not be more proud to serve with you.”
In less than a week, Lee would hand command of the squadron over to Lt. Col. Lesley W. Chiu in a change of command ceremony.
“It has been a pleasure serving you and I am going to miss it,” Lee told guests during his farewell speech at the event. “The truth of the matter is I don’t want to quit being your commanding officer. But, if I have to step aside, I am very excited to step aside for Lt. Col. Chiu. If you told me to go out and pick a guy to replace myself with, he’s the guy I would come back with. He’s privileged to have you and you are privileged to have him.”
Lee then handed the microphone to Chiu, who addressed his soon-to-be command for the first time.
“I have had a great introduction here,” Chiu told guests. “You guys have been really warm, I’ve gotten a great welcome. I appreciate that. My wish is that any new-join coming here gets the same treatment that I did. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here tonight, and to be your commanding officer starting next week.”
Date Taken: | 07.31.2014 |
Date Posted: | 07.31.2014 16:30 |
Story ID: | 137891 |
Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US |
Web Views: | 59 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Squadron throws Blues, Brews, and Barbecue event to celebrate memories made, times to come, by Sgt Mary Carmona, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT