Photo By Cpl. Christopher Johns | Pfc. Adam Farley, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 and a...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – The Great Escape and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar’s Single Marine Program joined forces to challenge service members to commit to an alcohol-free event called “Unwasted Warrior Weekend,” April 6-8.
In support of Alcohol Awareness month, The Great Escape held the annual event to show service members there are activities that are inexpensive and don’t involve alcohol aboard the air station.
“On average, about six alcohol related incidents occur on any normal weekend,” said Sgt. Christina Thuman, the crime prevention non-commissioned officer in charge with the Provost Marshal’s Office and an Earlville, Iowa, native. “That doesn’t include holiday seasons or certain holiday weekends.”
During the event, approximately 1,060 service members made the commitment to not drink alcohol for 60 hours, while dozens of service members took part in more than 15 events at The Great Escape.
The events included a rock wall challenge, a dodge ball tournament, video game competitions, movie marathons, a hypnotist and more, according to D.J. McCluskey, a manager at The Great Escape, and a San Diego native.
“[This event] is a great alternative to going out to bars and blowing your whole pay check, and then waiting until you get paid again to go back out,” said Jacksonville, Fla., native, Lance Cpl. Michael Buenaflor, the special events chairman and vice president of the SMP. “The Great Escape has almost everything you could need, video games, movies, in-house theater, and a great staff. Going out to drink to solve boredom just isn’t necessary.”
Service members came together from units aboard the air station to take part in the events, one of which was a pool tournament.
“I’m here almost every day to play pool, and I played in the tournament as well,” said Pfc. Christian Thompson, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and a Plant City, Fla., native. “[This place] keeps me busy and from doing things I shouldn’t. Plus, coming here saves me money too, because everything is free.”
Educating the service members about what they can do instead of drinking played a major role in the planning behind this event. The staff at the recreation center wanted to show a free, local alternative to drinking and going out in town where the service member is in a safe environment, explained Buenaflor.
The enlisted-only Great Escape isn’t just open on the weekend however; every day the doors open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and even later on the weekends.
“After a long day at work, sometimes 16 hours, [The Great Escape] is a great place to come unwind and not worry about work,” said Thompson. “I’ve got some buddies here to play pool with, and I don’t even have to drive to get here. I mean, this place really is a great escape.”
Successfully sober, service members left The Great Escape as it closed its doors Sunday evening, having learned fun in an alcohol free environment can be inexpensive.
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 14:29 |
| Story ID: | 86657 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US |
| Hometown: | EARLVILLE, IA, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Hometown: | PLANT CITY, FL, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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