Photo By Cpl. R. J. Driver | Lance Cpl. Kevin Kasmierski, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 radar technician,...... read more read more
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BEAUFORT, S.C. - In just a few short weeks, the Air Station will celebrate the 236th Marine Corps birthday in Savannah, Ga., and the race to be prepared is fast and furious.
Tasks like mounting medals, updating uniforms and finding a ball gown are a few major tasks Marines and their spouses are keying in on, but time is running short and the rush has already caught up with a few establishments, including the overflowing, base tailor shop.
At the Marine Corps Exchange, Marines can drop off their medals where they will be outsourced to be professionally mounted for the price of $6 a medal.
“They do quality work and the company is operated by a retired sergeant major,” said Gunnery Sgt. Tom Powell, MCX manager. “It typically takes five to 10 days for the medals to return, but next day service is available for an extra $15.”
Powell, a Detroit native, said the service is popular because the MCX sends out at least 30 sets of ribbons and medals to be mounted every week.
He expects that number to rise as each day passes and the date of the birthday ball approaches.
Those shiny, new medals now need a home and the uniform it will reside on should be just as pristine as the new stack of medals that will be mounted on it.
The tailor shop aboard the Air Station has recently stopped accepting uniforms needing alterations in time for the ball because they are currently booked, said Brandy Carter, tailor shop seamstress aboard the Air Station.
Tailor shops are filling up elsewhere as well. Carter, a Beaufort native, said that in her 11 years in the profession, she noticed that once one tailor shop closes, the others shortly follow.
Spouses will be working just as hard to look as good as their counterparts and choosing the right dress is almost like a science to some, but for those on a budget, Marine Corps Family Team Building hosted their 3rd annual Operation Ball Gown.
“This year, we had over 250 gowns donated to support Operation Ball Gown,” said Kelly Edens, MCFTB administrative specialist.
Active-duty and civilian spouses throughout Tri-Command were welcome to select up to one gown and two accessories according to Edens, a Boise, Idaho native.
At this stage in the game, service members and spouses may find themselves playing catch up, but there are plenty of options available for those looking to get their uniform ready. They might just have to look a little harder.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2011 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 78129 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 75 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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