3rd Maintenance Battalion holds Christmas party reunion

Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | Aldith R. Smith, 5, right, and Laini S. Smith, 4, left, daughters of Cpl. Jonathan A. Smith, sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas this year at the 3rd Maintenance Battalion’s Christmas Party held at the Kinser Surfside Dec. 13. Santa gave children who visited him a candy cane as thanks for seeing him and telling him their Christmas wish. Smith is an administration clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.13.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP KINSER, Japan - The 3rd Maintenance Battalion Marines and their families sang, danced and laughed together as they celebrated their annual Christmas party at Kinser Surfside Dec. 13.

“This Christmas party is a good opportunity for the battalion and their families to get together before the holidays and have a good time,” said Lt. Col. Jason A. Beaudoin, the battalion commander. “This is one of the few times where we can have all the companies come together in one place.”

The Christmas party had events and activities for the Marines and their children.

“There are so many things for the kids to have fun with,” said Beaudoin. “Not only are these activities for the kids but also for the Marines. I have seen a few single Marines interacting with the kids and having fun coloring or making gingerbread houses.”

A few of the activities available for the Marines and their families were building gingerbread houses, coloring and paper craft, face painting, an inflatable bounce house, movies and a visit from Santa Claus.

“It took about three months to plan and set up this event,” said Christin E. Kardos, the battalion Family Readiness officer. “This unit has companies on different bases so you don’t get them together very often but the turnout of this party was more than expected. We didn’t have enough seats for everyone who attended.”

Each company designed and created their own holiday banner, which was viewed and judged by the Marines and their families.

“It’s good to get the single Marines, married Marines and their families out of their home or barracks and bring them together and enjoy the festivities with each other even those from other bases,” said Sgt. Maj. Willie E. Edens, the battalion sergeant major. “The turnout was phenomenal having about 800 Marines and their families attend this celebration.”

A few Marines from each company also planned, coordinated and performed skits for their fellow Marines and their families.

“Some of my friends and fellow Marines are performing a skit tonight,” said Lance Cpl. Bradley Leitzel, an amphibious assault vehicle mechanic with Ordnance Maintenance Company, 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It is great to be able to not only see my friends perform but also see the other Marines you work with within the battalion.”

According to Sgt. Johnathon Robinson, it is exciting to come out, build camaraderie with the Marines and spend time with his family for the holidays.

“This Christmas party is a moral builder for the command and is a good motivated event for the Marines and their families,” said Edens. “It makes it a more eventful tour for the Marines and their families especially living overseas.”

“The 3rd Maintenance Battalion is a great unit and has a lot of great Marines and families and I want to thank them and the volunteers who helped me put this together,” said Kardos.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2011
• Date Posted: 12.19.2011 19:28
• Story ID: 81591
• Location: CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JP