Marines and sailors kick back during Lake Day

Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | Retired service members man the grill during Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division’s Lake Day at Mission Viejo, April 30. Teens for Marines and Mission Viejo adoption committee volunteers also donated their time to help with Lake Day. Marines and sailors brought their family and friends to Lake Mission Viejo to enjoy the warm weather and participated in catch-and-release fishing, boating and various beach sports. Mission Viejo has supported HQ Bn., as their adopted unit for the past four years.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

04.30.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez 

1st Marine Division

LAKE MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – The sunny and warm weather provided a perfect setting for Marines and sailors of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and their guests during the battalion’s Lake Day at Mission Viejo, April 30.

Participants brought their family and friends to Lake Mission Viejo to enjoy the warm weather and participated in catch-and-release fishing, boating and various beach sports. Warriors living in the barracks were given a free bus ride to the lake.

“We are so grateful for what Marines do,” said Elaine Baker, a volunteer for Mission Viejo’s adoption committee. “This is just a small way that we can say thank you.”

Mission Viejo has supported HQBn. as their adopted unit for the past four years. The city hosts various fundraising events for a wide range of causes throughout the year, Baker added.

“I’ve been coming here for the past three years, and it’s definitely grown a lot every year,” said 1st Sgt. Rogelio Cervantesosorio, the company first sergeant of Headquarters and Support Company, HQBn. “It’s a great event all around. The people of Mission Viejo get to show their support to us, and we also get to show them our support.”

More than 200 Mission Viejo citizens volunteered to grill food, set up picnic areas and clean up during the event. The volunteers included retired service members, Mission Viejo adoption committee members and Teens for Marines, which provides opportunities for Orange County teenagers to support local Marines.

“The volunteers are citizens who appreciate the Marine Corps and what we do,” said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Sammartino, battalion sergeant major of HQBn. “We’re grateful for the citizens who come out here and support their troops.”

Thanks to the faithful support and dedication of Mission Viejo’s citizens, more than 1,000 Marines, sailors and their guests were able to enjoy a day off under southern California’s beautiful weather.

“It seems like everybody had a good time,” said Sammartino, a native of Miami. “And I did, too!”

• Date Taken: 04.30.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 13:29
• Story ID: 69904
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US