NSA FAST Company Marines Hold Dunk-A-Marine Fundraiser

Photo By Russell Tafuri | Cmdr. Heather Lee, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Resource and Requirements Officer, attempts to dunk the Marine sitting in the "hot seat" in the dunk tank as his fellow company Marines look on, during the NSA Bahrain Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team's 'Dunk-a-Marine' fundraiser to support this year's upcoming Marine Corps Ball.  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

07.30.2009

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Russell Tafuri 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

MANAMA, Bahrain - Marines assigned to Naval Support Activity Bahrain's Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team participated in a fundraiser yesterday at the base's Freedom Souq courtyard area to support this year's upcoming Marine Corps Ball.

Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Holyfield, the FAST Company senior enlisted leader, manned a megaphone and challenged passersby to step up, donate funds, and try to "dunk a Marine."

"We're out here with the dunk tank and we get to see people we work with and interact with them outside of work and have some fun," he said.

Holyfield said the event was a lot of fun, successful and supported a good cause.

"There are lines marking the distance from the target everyone has to throw from," he said. "The closest line is for girls under 10 [years old] or anyone from the Navy. The next furthest line is for girls over 10 [years old] and the Army. A bit further there's a line for grown ups, and then furthest from the tank we have a line for Marines."

Holyfield added that while it's all in good fun, the fundraising is going to more than just helping to pay for the ball.

"We're raising money so our junior Marines don't have to pay to go to the Marine Corps Ball this year," he said. "That's the goal."

Cmdr. Heather Lee, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Resource and Requirements Officer, tried her hand at dunking the Marines. After hitting the mark a number of times she said she enjoyed the challenge on a couple levels.

"It's a fun day and it's all for a good cause giving to the Marine Corps Ball," she said. "Plus the Marine up there was quite a trash talker so that encouraged me to throw a little harder. Plus, I'm representing the Navy and females: I got him in the tank quite a few times, so it was money well spent."

The NSA Bahrain area US Marine Corps Ball will be held here this coming November.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2009
• Date Posted: 07.30.2009 08:19
• Story ID: 36966
• Location: MANAMA, BH