Combat Center participates in annual Grubstake Days

Twentynine Palms -- Marines and sailors with Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., participated in the annual Grubstake Days Parade along California Highway 62 in Yucca Valley, May 27, 2017.

The town holds the annual Grubstake Days festival to commemorate the mining heritage of the Yucca Valley community. In addition to the parade, events held for the celebration included a rodeo, beard growing
competition, horseshoe throwing and a carnival.

The Combat Center Color Guard, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Provost Marshal’s Office, Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital Twentynine Palm’s Color Guard and Combat Center Fire Department, represented the installation with vehicles and marching displays.

“We usually only get to see the Marines on TV,” said Wanda Stadum, president, Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Seeing them right here in the parade is important- especially for the young kids who want to grow up to be Marines.”

According to Stadum, the YVCC and the town of Yucca Valley hosted the 67th anniversary of the parade to bring the Morongo Basin community together.

“It brings people outside and fosters a spirit of family unity,” Stadum said. “I want to thank everybody for participating and being cooperative with us at the base.”