Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Cpl. Brandon C. Luke gets hit in the face by a water-filled sponge thrown by an Arthur...... read more read more
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CHERRY POINT, N.C. - For more than 10 years, Arthur Edwards Elementary School has held a school fair for their students during the spring. For the last two years, Marines and sailors with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 have helped the school with the event and continued carrying on their support during this year’s fair April 29.
“The Marines and sailors are great sports,” said Melissa B. Mays a member of the parent-teacher organization with Arthur Edwards Elementary School. “They really enjoy helping and it allows parents whose spouses are deployed to be with their children and not have to run a game for us.”
Military children make up roughly 80 percent of the student population at the elementary school.
“It pays out huge dividends to come and volunteer at these kind of events,” said 2nd Lt. Eric C. Froese, the training officer with MWSS-271. “We as Marines are here to serve our country and our community. This is just another way we can give back to a community that has been extremely supportive of our mission and cause.”
Froese said he feels like the children’s reaction to whenever they see a service member come into their school has a positive impact toward them, and the students truly care for the American troops.
“I have seen kids ask to take pictures with the Marines,” said Froese. “I have seen kids salute privates and smack corporals in the face with sponges. It is a lot of fun and the Marines and sailors both love helping.”
The Marines and sailors assisted the parent-teacher organization with games and activities like putt-putt, face painting, bouncy houses and also served as a target for children to throw wet sponges.
“We couldn’t do this event without the Marines and sailors of Cherry Point,” said Mays. “They are a blessing from above and it really makes the life of these parents a lot easier, so they can go around with their children and just have fun.”
Froese said he feels volunteering with the school has given the children a more positive light and feel of the U.S. Armed Services.
“The look on the children’s faces really gives you a humbling feeling,” said Pfc. David W. Kent, a data networker with MWSS-271. “It gives you a feeling of gratitude and lets you see the real reason of why we do what we do overseas. It’s not about us or the U.S., it’s about the children here that we give those freedoms to. It’s about the future, and this is our way of giving back to the future.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2011 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 69876 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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