Jet Stream The
Friday, August 31, 2018 Vol. 53, No. 34 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Fox Company Graduates
5
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
beaufort.marines.mil | facebook.com/MCASBeaufort | youtube.com/MCASBeaufort | mcasbetwitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC | Instagram/mcasbeaufort
Check out our website at Thejetstreambeaufort.com
PROTECT WHAT YOU’VE EARNED
Shredding adversity: Surfing helps wounded vets
6
BCC, AMCC host military appreciation day
Photo by Cpl. Terry Haynes III
Service members, their families and members of the local community attended a military appreciation day aboard Laurel Bay, Aug. 25. The Beaufort Chamber of Commerce organized the event to thank the local members of the military for their service. Story and photos by Cpl. Terry Haynes III
Marines, Sailors and veterans of the local community celebrated a military appreciation day on Laurel Bay, S.C. Aug. 25. The event was held to foster cohesion between the tri-command and the local community, as well as, to thank the local members of the military for their service. “This day is just a small token of appreciation for all of the hard work that our local military does,” said Blakely Williams, the president and chief executive officer of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This event is just one example of the things that we can accomplish when we work together as a team.” Businesses and organizations from the Lowcountry volunteered to give back to the Tri-command. The free event included games, a live DJ, bounce houses, a dunk tank from St. Peter’s Catholic Church as well as food and refreshments offered by The Marine Corps League. Photo by Cpl. Terry Haynes IIl “I am personally amazed at the dedication of all of the A volunteer at a booth sprays a child’s hair with temporary dye at a military appreciation day on Laurel Bay, Aug. sponsors, planners and coordinators,” 25. The event was held to foster cohesion between the Tri-command and the local community. The booth was said Dale Ramirez, the executive of- see day page 4 sponsored by Great Clips.
Semper Fit Summer Challenge comes to close Story by Cpl. Ashley Phillips
Photo by Cpl. Ashley Phillips
Sgt. Maj. Derrick Mays, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort sergeant major, speaks during the closing ceremony of the Semper Fit Summer Challenge aboard MCAS Beaufort, Aug. 29. During the ceremony, prize money was presented to the winning squadrons. Throughout the challenge, squadrons were able to accrue points by individual Marines participating in Semper Fit events such as 5k runs, tournaments, climbing the rock wall, or attending events at the theaters.
Semper Fit staff and personnel presented nine squadrons with prize money for competing in the Semper Fit Summer Challenge aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 29. The award ceremony was held in Afterburners and awarded over $6,000 in prize money to the winning squadrons and units. Aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the air station, units participated in the summer challenge and were awarded points based on the percentage of squadron personnel who attended. “This is the third year in a row that Marine Wing Support Detachment 31 has been given a $1,000 check,” said Maj. Patrick W. Junick, the commanding officer of MWSD-31. “From a leadership perspective, it’s about taking care of my Marines. Whatever we can do to lower the cost of the Marine Corps Ball tickets for them.” The SFSC began three months ago on May 16. Since then, there have been 22 official events and even more opportunities for Marines to earn points for their units. Events ranged from costume themed 5k
runs, swim meets, movie marathons, and various events at Afterburners. “This year we chose the theme of the Commandant’s ‘Seize the Initiative’,” said Kathy Williams, the promotion coordinator with Semper Fit. “We thought it went along with what the whole summer challenge was about.” Some of the highlighted points from Seize the initiative are “Take better care of ourselves because combat is the most extreme and demanding test” and “Have more fun as Marines because it is a privilege to be a part of this elite warfighting organization”. “It feels good to be able to offer this, to have the help from sponsors we have had, and it’s been so much fun to be able to see everyone come out,” Williams said. “It’s bitter sweet to see the SFSC come to an end, after months of work. We’ve had over 5,880 participants throughout the summer of active duty Marines.” Units were also able to earn points by climbing the rock wall at the gym. Individual Marines could climb the wall once a day to earn one point for the squadron. MWSD-31 took advantage of this see sfsc, page 4 and had over 665