MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Quantico hosted its annual National Night Out for service members, their families and base personnel at Crossroads Elementary School on Aug. 4.
“Tonight is about bringing the community together,” said Michael Passera, assistant fire chief for Quantico Fire and Emergency Services. “We are promoting safety and risk reduction for all ages, while also familiarizing the community with their local law enforcement.”
Established in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is celebrated annually on the first Tuesday in August. The nationwide campaign aims to strengthen relationships between neighborhoods and local law enforcement to foster trust and cooperation.
“Marine Corps Base Quantico is more than a place where we work, it's our home,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Denver Edick, commanding officer of Security Battalion. “National Night Out gives us the opportunity to strengthen the bonds between our military families, civilian workforce, law enforcement, firefighters and community partners who all share in keeping this installation safe.”
Throughout the evening, attendees explored static displays and gathered for live demonstrations. The event’s main attractions were presented by the Quantico fire department, the Provost Marshal’s Office and Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico.
Attendees could enter the fire trucks and an ambulance while the staff explained features of the vehicles and their other equipment, such as hoses, medical devices and safety gear.
Among the most popular highlights were the PMO’s K-9 demonstrations; these showcases of obedience, scent detection, and bite work put a spotlight on the rigorous training that military working dogs and their handlers undergo to secure the installation.
"It's important for the community to see the capabilities of our working dogs and handlers," said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Andrew Vasquez, a PMO military working dog trainer. "Even though the training is demanding, we all love what we do."
Supporting the main events, representatives from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and various base support organizations were on hand to provide resources and activities for families.
The evening concluded with a final K-9 demonstration, capping off a successful event dedicated to building unity and camaraderie across MCB Quantico.