Logistics Marines Get Down and Dirty for Field Meet
Story by Lance Cpl. Joel Abshier, CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq
Coming toward the end of their deployment, Marines with Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) hosted a field meet, allowing everyone the chance to escape their offices.
The event turned into quite a gathering for the Marines, many of whom the field meet coordinator, Sgt. Thomas D. McKenzie, said he'd never seen during their deployment. Around 300 Marines participated in the competition at the Lakeside Sports Arena.
The day began with four teams playing a volleyball tournament while crowds of Marines gathered around the event to provide support and offer friendly heckling for opposing sides.
Although there was a bit of rivalry coming from the fans, it was all out of fun, said volleyball referee Cpl. Waddell L. Butler, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the group's Joint Air Cargo Operation Team.
After the volleyball match, Marines headed toward the grill for a traditional barbeque meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips and, non-alcoholic beer.
Once everyone's appetites were satisfied, Marines migrated to the next event, the egg toss. Players paired up about five feet from each other and tossed raw eggs back and forth. After every successful catch, one participant took a step back, widening the gap.
Laughter erupted when Cpl. Todd Steward, area supervisor for CLR-25's ammunition supply point, became one of the contestants to get a close look at the egg after a 30-foot toss. The egg spread like warm butter across his face and over half of his sweatshirt. Even though Steward was covered in yolk, his good attitude never faded throughout the day.
Many people think of Iraq as a desolate and dry place, but that didn't stop Marines from digging a hole and filling it with water for their field meet's highlight: the tug-of-war.
Teams of 10 situated themselves in the pushup position with nothing except a pit of water and a rope between them. One Marine yelled, "Push up!" and the rest of the participants responded with "Marine Corps!"
Once the Marines were let loose, everyone scrambled for the rope to get the upper hand. Numerous participants walked away soaked from head to toe with muddy water.
"The water (was) sitting there for a couple days. It was definitely entertaining," admitted McKenzie after watching some of his Marines get pulled in.
Once the events came to a close, points were distributed to determine who would take home the 1st place trophy – an award of immense caliber.
"Not a bad job, huh?" asked Lance Cpl. Denise M. Plowman, trophy designer. Plowman created the trophy using .50 cal and M-16 ammunition, challenge coins and a Marine Corps issued boot.
The items used in the trophy's assembly weren't the only reason several Marines sought after this prize. As the winner, they'd also receive trash-talking rights.
"Everyone (wanted) that trophy," McKenzie explained. "It is more than I can say for second place. All they get is an old boot."
Even though some Marines didn't win anything, everyone remained in good spirits, because the competition gave everyone a chance to relax during the crunch-time that is normally associatedwith the end of deployment, said McKenzie.
"Not too much longer," McKenzie said. "We will all be home soon enough." Marine Air-Ground Task Force's Distribution Center came out on top with 38 points followed by Customer Service, Storage and Ammo/Medical Logistics.
