Photo By Cpl. Daniel Wulz | Lance Cpl. Andrew Clements a forward observer for 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – On June 20, Marines from each battalion of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group gathered aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for a field meet in the spirit of building camaraderie and in honor of II MHG’s commanding officer, Col. Michael M. Sweeney’s upcoming departure.
“We have the MHG commander leaving at the end of June and we wanted to do something that he could address the entire group,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Cressman, sergeant major, II MHG.
On June 20, Marines from each battalion of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group gathered aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for a field meet in the spirit of building camaraderie and in honor of II MHG’s commanding officer, Col. Michael M. Sweeney’s upcoming departure.
“We have the MHG commander leaving at the end of June and we wanted to do something that he could address the entire group,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Cressman, sergeant major, II MHG.
II MHG is made up of six different battalions, 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, 2nd Radio Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Intelligence Battalion and 8th Communications Battalion.
The event was planned entirely by non-commissioned officers. One event coordinator from each battalion formed a committee who planned the event together.
“The whole purpose of the coordinators from each battalion was to make sure this came to fruition,” said Sgt. Andrew S. Wilbur, a squad leader at 2nd LEB Bravo Company, Team 7, II MHG and an event coordinator for Field meet. “It was a two week planning process and it took a lot of networking between the different battalions to make this come into effect because we were expecting one thousand people or more.”
“It’s a really good time and this is going to be an annual event,” Wilbur said. “As it goes along I hope to see more participation, more events and for it to be more and more successful each year.”
The field meet had many events and activities for the battalions to compete in such as, three legged races, egg carries, tire flipping races, tricycle races and a pull-up competition. Marines and family members could also participate in certain activities without groups, such as the dunk tank and the strongman game. Chow and drinks were also served for the Marines and their families.
Despite the heat of the summer solstice, the Marines put in a full day of playing and competing against each other.
“I think it’s actually pretty fun. I didn’t know what to expect when we came out here but it turned out a lot better and a lot more fun that what I anticipated,” said Lance Cpl. Eric Pickett an electronic intelligence intercept operator with 2nd Radio Battalion, II MHG. “It’s a good way to send the commander off and I definitely think we should turn it into an annual event.”
The units that comprise II MHG are spread out across Camp Lejeune and rarely have the opportunity to get together, according to Cressman.
“I think it’s going well and I’m glad we opened it up to the families,” said Cressman. “I was surprised by how many families showed up. I’d say at its peak, we’ve had 1200 people here today.”
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2012 15:50 |
| Story ID: | 90468 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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