Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- Marines, sailors and family members of 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion kicked off their Memorial Day weekend with grilling, games and learning about the dangers of drunk driving at their battalion’s compound May 23.
Erika Capistran, family readiness officer, 3rd CEB, said it was a great way to keep the 3rd CEB family safe over the holiday weekend.
The day’s events and activities included horseshoes, bean bag games, inflatable bouncy houses, cupcake making competition, minute to win it games, drunk driving goggle races and a dunk tank.
The battalion will utilize the funds raised from the dunk tank and cupcake sales for their Marine Corps Ball later this year.
“Drunk driving has affected the Marine Corps a lot,” said Master Sgt. Matthew Johnson, communications chief, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd CEB. “I think it takes more than just safety briefs about drinking and driving. Show Marines statistics and proof of what happens. I think this does have an effect on the Marines, it’s better than doing nothing about it, as long as (Marines) are aware.”
In addition to keeping Marines and sailors aware of the dangers of drunk driving, the event was a time for family members to get together while some of their spouses are deployed.
3rd CEB deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom earlier this year and replaced 2nd CEB, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Their primary mission during their deployment is to provide direct combat engineer support to Regimental Combat Team 7. 3rd CEB is slated to return this fall.