Photo By Lance Cpl. Isaac Velasco | U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Duane Durant, commanding officer, 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, California -- U.S. Marines with 1st Radio Battalion (1st RADBN), I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (I MIG), conducted a morning hike to increase readiness and to donate school supplies to Mary Fan Pendleton Elementary School on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 21, 2019.
The Marines hiked 9 miles through the hills of Camp Pendleton, carrying not only their combat load, but also school supplies they had purchased to donate. The hike served to prepare the Marines for humanitarian and combat deployments.
“It’s not only about us, the day-in and day-out grind of doing our job,” said Sgt. Maj. Sael G. Garcia, 1st RADBN sergeant major. “It’s more about preparing ourselves and getting ready for when the nation calls.”
Each Marine carried an average of 16 pounds of school supplies to donate, totaling 2,770 pounds that filled four large crates. The supplies included pencils, scissors, paper, tubs of glue and other necessities for the school.
Although this event was for the donation of school supplies, it also served to build unit cohesion and increase camaraderie and morale. Four companies of Marines competed to find out to which could carry the most school supplies to donate. At the end of the hike, the unit faced-off in a game of tug-of-war, then ate breakfast together.
“They keep me motivated,” said Garcia. “Seeing them smile, seeing them be motivated and have the grit to continue, that inspires me as a leader of junior Marines.”
Capt. Jason Furman, company commander of C Company, led his Marines to victory in the tug-of-war match and the largest donation of the unit. His Marines each purchased and hiked with an average of 21 pounds of the school supplies.
“I’m extremely proud of my Marines,” said Furman. “This isn’t the first event where we’ve come away with one pound or one small threshold over the rest of the battalion.”
Megan Shinner, the assistant principal of Mary Fan Pendleton Elementary School thanked the Marines of 1st RADBN for all of their efforts and donations, stating it would offset many of the expenses the teachers incur themselves.
The Marines of 1st RADBN conduct a donation drive semi-annually. Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday season, they held a canned food drive to donate to local people in need.
“Marines have heart,” said Furman. “I’m extremely proud. I’m also proud that we are the battalion that goes the extra mile and does this kind of stuff.”
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2019 12:34 |
| Story ID: | 330655 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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