BEAUFORT, S.C. - Cadets from Battery Creek High School attended services and shared a meal with Marines at the Station Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 10.
The cadets came to the chapel to learn Marine Corps traditions and celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday and Veterans Day. They also thanked the congregation for having Marines come out and volunteer during many of the program’s events, to include their drill meets.
“It is great being able to come and see Marine Corps traditions and camaraderie first-hand,” said Kimberly Castro, the drill team captain for the Marine JROTC program at Battery Creek. “We always hear about the different customs and traditions that make up a large part of the Marine Corps, but now we get to witness them for ourselves.”
Selfless service, honor, dedication, camaraderie and tradition were common themes throughout the service and buffet.
“I always try to teach these students how Marines take care of one another and pass their knowledge and traditions from one generation of Marines to the next,” said retired Gunnery Sgt. Robert Shannon, the Marine instructor for the Marine JROTC program. “Many of these students will go on and become the future of the Corps. When Marines come out and volunteer their time or money to these young men and women, they are investing in the future, they are taking care of the next generation of Marines. For that I thank them.”
Throughout the event, many Marines greeted one another by saying, “Happy Birthday,” in honor of the 238th Birthday of the Marine Corps. Through this simple gesture they demonstrated to the cadets the pride they had in the Corps.
“I want to thank the cadets for sharing church service with us, and thanking the congregation and Marines for their donation and volunteering,” said Sgt. Maj. Smith, the squadron sergeant major for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron on the Air Station. “By giving back to these students we are giving them something that they will carry, and hopefully pass on when they become Marines.”