Marines, senior citizens celebrate holiday season

Courtesy Photo | The holiday season is a time when friends and families come together to share dinners, give gifts, tell stories to children and think about others who need a little extra help and generosity during this time of year. The Officers’ Spouses’ Club hosted the 45th Annual Senior Tea for the senior citizens and retirees of the local area aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Dec. 14.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

12.18.2014

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - The holiday season is a time when friends and families come together to share dinners, give gifts, tell stories to children and think about others who need a little extra help and generosity during this time of year.

The Officers’ Spouses’ Club hosted the 45th Annual Senior Tea for the senior citizens and retirees of the local area aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Dec. 14.

“We’re thrilled to put this on again for the 45th time,” said Alexandra Leung, the president of the OSC.

Anne Hirschmann, a 45-year attendee, still remembers the first tea. As she got quiet, she reminisced on the memory of the first Senior Tea, where the guests received sheet music as they walked in to sing carols.

The best part of the event is “having the Marines in their dress blues meet you,” said Hirschmann. “The event is unbelievable.”

“It’s the biggest event of the year for the OSC,” said Col. Peter D. Buck, the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort.

This year, approximately 200 seniors attended the event, which grows every year.

“There are many events that happen around the holidays that many of the senior citizens in the area aren’t able to attend, so military spouses go out and assist them to festive events,” said Billy Keyserling, mayor of Beaufort. "Many of the senior citizens attending the event have no family and are from hospice care.”

The University of South Carolina Children’s Choir, Coosa Chorale, Beaufort Academy of Dance, Bolden Middle School Advanced Band Members, and the Beaufort Harbormasters provided entertainment for the event.

The dancers performed skits from "The Nutcracker" and other holiday favorites. Band members and singers performed holiday classics to end the event with a bang.

The holidays are a very busy time of year, and the generosity of the Marines, volunteers, and OSC staff made this years event successful, according to the welcoming message for the Senior Tea.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2014
• Date Posted: 12.18.2014 16:04
• Story ID: 150675
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC, US