CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Children participated in combat fitness tests and families rode in convoys during 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion’s Jane Wayne day at Las Flores, July 29.
The event gave everyone a chance to spend time together before the battalion’s upcoming deployment.
The Marines and sailors of 1st LAR Bn. organized a variety of events for their wives, families and girlfriends. The event gave the families a better understanding of the types of jobs their Marines perform each day.
“Everybody is talking about how dirty it was and how bumpy the rides were and how small the compartment was,” said Michelle King, the family readiness officer for the battalion. “So I definitely think that it gave them a better understanding,”
Allison Meyer, wife of Cpl. Zachary Meyer, a motor transport operator, rode in a 7-ton medium tactical vehicle replacement truck, the same kind her husband operates each day at work.
“As dusty and dirty as it was, that was my favorite part,” she said. “Because that is what my husband does during the day. So it was kind of cool to do something that he does on a daily basis.”
Although the event is known as Jane Wayne day, all family members were welcomed to spend the day in the boots of the Marines they love.
The families gained a valuable chance to meet and get to know each other while riding along in light armored reconnaissance vehicles and firing in the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer.
“It helps them build bonds together and have camaraderie,” King said. “Who better to understand what you’re going through than a fellow spouse, or girlfriend, or mom?”
Aside from having a better understanding of what their Marines do, family members hopefully gained a larger support group to help them in their times of need.
“For me as the FRO, that is one of my main reasons for doing this,” King said. “We learn from each other. We help each other. We are a family, a 1st LAR family. Who better to take care of each other than family?”