‘The Cutting Edge’ families celebrate at Desert Winds Golf Course

Courtesy Photo | "The Cutting Edge" Marines enjoy the dunk tank at the battalion family day at Desert Winds Golf Course Sept. 5, 2014. The family day offered an opportunity for attendees to gather and socialize with one another.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

09.10.2014

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment held a family day for their Marines, sailors and family members at Desert Winds Golf Course Sept. 5. The family day offered an opportunity for attendees to gather and socialize with one another.

“There’s 928 of them, they don’t know each other, maybe just in passing they’ll get to know each other today,” said Sgt. Maj. Alfredo Franco, battalion sergeant major, 3/7. “It’s a good opportunity, especially on a small base like this. You get the camaraderie when you get the families to meet, it builds cohesion.”

The family day was planned and put together by the Andrea Tatayon, Family Readiness Officer, and volunteers ranging from spouses to Marines with the unit.

“I volunteered with the set up and helped put everything together and so far it seems like everyone is having a good time,” said Vanessa Harmon, spouse. “The volunteers helped set up tents, food tables, bouncy houses and the rest of the decorations.”

The morning of the event, the Marines and sailors were invited to participate in a battalion-wide golf tournament. The service members and their families then ate lunch and were able to enjoy rock-wall climbing, a dunk tank and face painting. The smell of barbeque filled the air as children laughed and jumped in bouncy houses. Families gathered, greeted one another and enjoyed these activities with their Marines and sailors during their time off.

“In an infantry battalion with a constant training schedule, it’s nice to have some downtime so we can bring everyone together,” Tatayon said. “Having them meet each other and just taking some time off to do something together is very important.”

• Date Taken: 09.10.2014
• Date Posted: 09.10.2014 14:02
• Story ID: 141678
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US