Photo By Spc. Nadine White | Chief petty officer selectees lead a formation of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay chief...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Dark, somber clouds rolled over the island, covering every surface in their shadow with an abundance of tropical rain. Despite the gloomy weather lurking, a combination of service members and base residents boarded buses at the Marine Hill parade field, headed for the Northeast Gate.
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s Marine Corps Security Force Company executed a 4.8-mile run along the base’s northern-border fence line Saturday morning to raise funds for the Marine Corps birthday ball to be hosted Nov. 8.
“We wanted to sponsor a run that would be unique to the Marine Corps mission on the fence line,” said Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Joshua Wruble, first sergeant of the MCSFCO. “The vast majority of people, regardless of how long they’re actually on the island, don’t get the opportunity to see the fence line and what it looks like in the day-to-day operations of the Marines out here.”
Fortunately for the runners, the weather cleared up. However, the originally advertised “5k fence line run” route that started at the Northeast Gate and ended at Kittery Beach was in reality a longer, hilly stretch of 4.8 miles.
This section of the fence line is just a portion of the 17.6-mile perimeter GTMO shares with Cuba that the MCSFCO patrols 24 hours, seven days a week.
Running events are a common occurrence at GTMO and attract a wide variety of participants for an even wider variance of reasons. Whether young or old, marathon-runners or 5k-walkers, the themes and purposes for these runs unifies people for a common cause.
“This was meant to be an opportunity for people to see a part of the base they wouldn’t normally be able to see,” said Wruble. “It was also an opportunity to be involved in the community and meet people with similar likes, we wanted to encourage fellowship.”
Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Dunn, a boatswain’s mate with the Joint Task Force Maritime Security Detachment and a regular participant in base running events, said this fence line run offered him a way to support his Marine brothers and sisters.
“I think events like this get a lot of people together that wouldn’t normally get together,” said Dunn. “It kind of introduces people to everybody else. It builds camaraderie.”
An unexpected 267 participants showed up to support the MCSFCO on Saturday, the first of which received commemorative medals upon finishing. The MCSFCO also prepared and served lunch for runners and spectators to enjoy while they explored the otherwise inaccessible beach.
Kittery Beach is a MCSFCO area of operation that was only open for the day to offer participants something fun and unique to do, Wruble said.
The Marines have a couple more unique activities in the works to raise funds for their birthday ball, including a fishing trip in generally closed-off locations of the bay.
“We greatly appreciate the high turnout and support from the community,” said Wruble.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 13:50 |
| Story ID: | 141817 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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