Photo By Sgt. Eric Quintanilla | Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO - The Marine Corps Community Service Auto Skills Center hosted their 8th annual car and motorcycle show aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 30.
The Christmas in July Car and Motorcycle Show featured approximately 140 vehicles of all makes, models, and years.
"This is really neat, I didn’t know the car show was this big,” said John Bogardus, retired National Guard 1st Sgt. “It’s great to invite everyone on base for this. The more they learn about the military the better off they are.”
The show offered the opportunity for the car owners to be acknowledged for the hard work they put into maintaining their vehicles. Guests voted on their favorite vehicles in 10 different categories including muscle, import and classic. Awards were given out for the top three vehicles in each category as well as People’s Choice and General’s Choice awards.
Gil Gresoro, owner of a 1966 Pontiac GTO won the top award, the General’s Choice Award. Gresoro is the original owner of the vehicle and has managed to maintain it throughout the years.
“This is a great event that serves multiple purposes,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general, MCRD and the Western Recruiting Region. “I’m enjoying going around and seeing how much effort they have put into their vehicles.”
The entry fee for vehicle owners was $10 and the donation of a new toy for Toys for Tots. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys to distribute to needy children in the community during Christmas.
“Everyone who works here can benefit from this,” said Yoo. “The Marine base here is an extension of the community.”
The show also provided an opportunity for Marines to spend time with family, with a bounce house for children and food for all guests. A local radio station provided musical entertainment throughout the day as well.
“The drill instructors don’t get a lot of time with their families, so I can send them here to break up the monotony of working all the time,” said Staff Sgt. David Adames, Drill Instructor, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
Just 30 minutes or an hour with family can mean a lot to Marines who don’t get a lot of down time, added Adames whose favorite car at the show was a yellow Camaro with black stripes.
Not only does this give a chance for service members and civilians to come together it also gives them an opportunity to enjoy cars and see what can be done with them, said Jose Ortega-Garcia, manager of the Auto Skills Center aboard MCRD.
“This is a good way to see what the Marine Corps is,” he added. “[Civilians] can come on base and make a connection. It can help build support for the Marines.”
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2011 17:59 |
| Story ID: | 74926 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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