1/7 comes together for family day

Twentynine Palms -- Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, as well as their families came together for the battalion’s family day at Del Valle Field, Dec. 15, 2016.

The battalion held the event to spread holiday cheer and give the families an opportunity to connect with one another.

“The battalion is always training and preparing to go on deployment,” said Lt. Col. Eric Clark, battalion commander, 1/7. “When that happens, the families look to each other for comfort and this helps build those bridges for them.”

The battalion created a slide built out of man-made snow for children to enjoy. The battalion gave its service members and their families’ food and drinks. Santa Claus was also there seeing children and the children took home toys after the event.

“We put all of this on to give everyone in the battalion a chance to have a little bit of fun and bring everyone together,” said Mary Freese, family readiness officer, 1/7. “There is a lot going on in the Marines’ lives and their families stick with them through it.”

Throughout the night, Marines and their families won giveaways with prizes such as televisions, video game consoles and household appliances. Participants spent the evening with their friends and families, and gained a stronger bond as a battalion.