First Team celebrates Easter early

Twentynine Palms -- 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, hosted their second spring family day for the Marines and sailors of the regiment at Victory Field aboard the Combat Center, March 24, 2018. Unit events are hosted to enhance camaraderie, bring spouses together to form positive relationships and create activities for the children.

The event was the first one held by the unit since the 1/7 Marines returned from their deployment in fall of 2017 and it was open to all 1/7 families. During the family day food and refreshments were provided. In addition, there were a multitude of events for families to participate in to include a bean bag toss, face painting, egg decorating, and, planting and pot painting. All supplies were donated by the United Service Organizations, North Coast Calvary Chapel and Angels Army.

“Events like this are really important for the spouses,” said Mary Freese, family readiness officer, 1/7. “With the guys always going out to the field, it is a great opportunity for the wives to meet other wives with children in the same age group. It allows them to come together and take care of each other when their husbands are gone. Once they don’t need me anymore, I know I’ve done my job.”

There were roughly 103 families scheduled to attend the Easter egg hunt, which included 1,500 eggs hidden for the children. The egg hunt was separated into three age groups ranging from a few months to three years old, four to eight years and nine and older. Each age group was allotted 500, 750 and 250 eggs to search for, respectively.

At the conclusion of the egg hunt, a raffle was held to win various prizes, such as Starbucks coffee and DVDs, in addition to Easter games for all ages.

“I love coming to the unit events with my son,” said Brianna McGee, wife of Staff Sgt. Joseph McGee, supply, 1/7. “There are so many activities for the children and it gives us something to look forward to.”