Lance Cpl. Delon David, small-arms repairer, Combat Logistics Company 13, leads elementary school students in stretches during physical education class at Joshua Tree Elementary School, Joshua Tree, Calif., Jan. 8. Five Marines with the company visited the school as part of the Adopt-a-School program. (Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock

Marines, students spend day together during Adopt-a-School day

8 Jan 2014 | Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines with Combat Logistics Company 13, 1st Marine Logistics Group, spent the day laughing and playing with students during their physical education classes at Joshua Tree Elementary School, Jan. 8, 2014.

The visit was in support of the Adopt-a-School program, in which Marines from the Combat Center travel to various schools in the Morongo Basin School District to spend time with the students.

Throughout the day, Marines spent time with students during their physical education and recess times, joining them in stretches, sporting activities including tether ball, soccer and basketball. The students also conducted a pacer test that Marines took part in, running alongside students throughout the event.

“It is always great for us to have more support with our P.E classes,” said Carol Wilson, assistant physical education teacher. “Having the Marines out here helping the children learn to to follow directions is wonderful for the children. I think that is just as much of a protection of our country as anything else; setting the future for our children.”

While the Marines are unable to come as often as the children would like, when they can, their arrival is greatly anticipated, according to Logan Sancett, student, 5th grade.

“I love when the Marines come out and play with us,” said Sancett. “I want to grow up and be a runner, and I enjoy it when the Marines come out and run with us.”

For the Marines, the opportunity to volunteer and enrich the lives of young students brings no greater benefit, according to Cpl. Norberto Torres, automotive organizational mechanic, CLC-13.

“As soon as I heard about this opportunity, I was quick to jump on it and volunteer,” Torres said. “I could tell that they really enjoyed having us here. Seeing the smiles on their faces made me feel like we made a difference.”

The Marines enjoyed the visit just as much as the students, and look forward to returning to the school, according to Torres.