Children join parents in annual MC Ball; Children celebrate 236th MC Birthday

Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | Marines from various units in 3rd Marine Logistics Group, march out and present the cake they will cut and present to the guest of honor and the oldest and youngest Marine during the ceremony of the second annual Marine Corps Kids Ball to celebrate the 236th Marine Corps Birthday at the Habu Pit on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Nov. 5. Along with the food and cake, service members and their families were able to have a family picture taken to preserve the memory of celebrating the Marine Corps birthday together.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, AICHI, JAPAN

11.06.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan - The children of 3rd Marine Logistics Group Marines clapped their hands and stomped their feet as they gave thanks for the feast they shared with their Marine mothers and fathers.

This was the scene before the opening ceremony of the second annual 3rd MLG Marine Corps Kids Ball held at the Habu Pit here Nov. 5.

“There are two main reasons why we have the (Marine Corps) Kids Ball,” said Jocelyn D. McNair, the family readiness officer for Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “One, to teach kids about the Marine Corps and help them learn to appreciate what their moms and dads do every day; Two, because the kids don’t ask to have this kind of life style and we want them to understand why their parents do what they do.”

The Kids Ball began the same way as a traditional Marine Corps Ball. The Marines marched out, cake in hand and cut a piece for the guest of honor and for the oldest Marine who then passes it to the youngest Marine. This symbolizes the passing of knowledge and experience to the new generation.

“This (Kids Ball) is no different from the (Marine Corps Ball) my wife and I go to,” said GySgt. Khalif Ahmad, the company gunnery sergeant for CLR-37. “The only difference is that we are able to bring the kids with us and make it a family event.”

This was the first (Marine Corps Ball) for the children and it was a great experience for them to be able to come out and celebrate the Marine Corps birthday with their parents, said Jacquetta Ahmad, wife of GySgt. Ahmad.

Along with the food and cake, service members and their families were able to have a family picture taken to preserve the memory of celebrating the Marine Corps birthday together.

“Having a (Marine Corps) Kids Ball is wonderful event to have and to be able to show kids the ceremony we see every year,” said Lt. Col. Jason A. Beaudoin, the commanding officer of 3rd Maintenance Battalion, CLR-35. “Normally it would be hard to get my kids to get dressed up but when they heard they were going to this ball they were excited and couldn’t wait to see the ceremony.”

After the ceremony, Col. Scott E. Erdelatz, the chief-of-staff for 3rd MLG and the guest of honor, took the stand to say a few words.

“This (Marine Corps Kids Ball) is a fun event for all and I am glad I had the privilege to help the kids feel proud of their parents, the Marine Corps and to be a military kid,” said Erdelatz.

• Date Taken: 11.06.2011
• Date Posted: 11.28.2011 21:41
• Story ID: 80638
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, AICHI, JP