June 5, 2014 -- Marines spend much of their time away from their families while deployed or supporting the warfighter in harm’s way.
Recognizing the daily sacrifices of Marines and their families, officials from Marine Corps Logistics Command and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany paused to express their gratitude and recognize the Corps’ most valuable resources - the individual Marine and/his or her families.
The LOGCOM/MCLB Albany Unit and Family Fun Day was held at Covella Pond here, Friday.
Danesha Aikens, family readiness adviser, MCLB Albany, said the combined family day was about Marines spending time with their families.
“The purpose was to (honor) the Marines and their families (for) their service,” Aikens said. “The military not only supports its service members, but (their families) as well.”
Danesha, the wife of Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Aikens, substance abuse control officer, MCLB Albany, said they did not have much support when her husband was coming up through the ranks.
She said events like this made her “feel proud to support the families and show them they are appreciated.”
Kristin Reynolds, military spouse and wife of Sgt. Johnny Reynolds, electrical engineer, Organization Maintenance Unit, LOGCOM, said she enjoyed the event.
“It was thoughtful to put together (an event like this) for the family,” she said. “It was a good time to hang out with other military spouses, family and friends.”
Families socialized as they gathered to eat grilled hamburgers and hot dogs at tables under a pavilion that protected them from the South Georgia sun. The food was catered by the Marine Corps birthday ball committee.
Children of all ages were entertained as well. There were a variety of bouncy houses, kiddie pools and a bubble station for small children while the older youth seemed to enjoy the water slide bouncy house during the day.
The event also featured family-friendly activities including volleyball and a boat ride around Covella Pond. Many Marines demonstrated to their families the Corps’ amphibious roots as they navigated the waters of Covella Pond and conducted simulated beach operations on the shoreline.
Col. Jeffrey Hooks, commander, Marine Depot Maintenance Command, and Col. Don Davis, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, both thanked the Marines and their families for their sacrifices.
“(Today’s) event is about family, eating food and enjoying each other’s company,” Hooks said. “(I would like to) thank the families for allowing us to be Marines and do what we do. We do a very important job, but we could not do it without the families.”