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Friday, December 12, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 49 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Hotel Company Graduates
See Page 11
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” Beaufort.Marines.mil
facebook.com/MCASBeaufort
twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC
Married Marines enlist and retire together Page 4
Marines, JGDSF finish sniper training Page 8
III MEF sharpens amphibious skills Page 9
Commanding Officer’s Treelighting Ceremony
See Pg. 5 Photos by Cpl. Sarah Cherry
Families and friends within the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort community joined together for the Commanding Officer’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 4. Col. Peter D. Buck, the commanding officer of the Air Station, lit the tree to mark the start of the holiday season. Marines and families drank hot chocolate and children got to sit on Santa’s lap. Holiday celebrations boost a sense of togetherness and camaraderie by bringing Marines and families together in a relaxed environment.
Silent victims of domestic violence speak in death Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Candy Land aboard Fightertown Pfc. Jonah Lovy Staff Writer
Hidden away from the warm evening breezes of December in South Carolina lies a winter wonderland of holiday cheer. Children giggle as they toss imaginary snowballs at one another. Families decorate face masks together. Mr. and Mrs. Claus spread the good mood, inviting children to climb on their laps and whisper Christmas wishes. A room brimming with laughter, music and activity greeted visitors who stopped by Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s fitness center on Dec. 3. Candy Land at the North Pole was the first holiday event of the season for service members throughout
the Tri-Command and their families. Marine Corps Community Services organized the celebration as a fun holiday event that incorporates exercise for the whole family. Fitness is an essential part of military life so it was important to incorporate as part of the event. Activities included rock climbing, coloring, and the Candy Land circuit course. “We have this program because military life is so hectic and stressful,” said Harriet Fisher, the physical fitness program coordinator at MCCS. “We like to provide an opportunity for fun around the holidays.” see
Holiday, page 7
In the behavioral health branch hall of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort stand cutouts representing South Carolina’s silent victims of domestic violence throughout 2013. “If you look down this hall
and read these stories, you’ll see the stories of people you know; mother, brother, nextdoor neighbor,” said Ginny Westcott, Family Advocacy Program prevention trainer. There were 46 people killed by their partner in South Carolina in 2013. Of the victims, 38 were female and eight were
male. “South Carolina ranks number one in the nation for women killed by their male partners,” said Westcott. “Our numbers for the Tri-Command are holding steady, not going down.” Domestic violence includes see Victim, page
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