MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
The aroma of smoked
and grilled chicken, pig, bratwurst and ribs infused the air across Marine
Corps Air Station Cherry Point, drawing Marines and Sailors from every corner
of the air station to participate in the Fall Chicken Picking, Sept. 7.
The New Bern Chamber
of Commerce, along with the New Bern Military Alliance, started grilling bright
and early for the semi-annual event. The event is conducted to show the
community’s appreciation for local service members, and to give them the
opportunity to meet their neighbors.
“The Marines and
Sailors, along with the residents of New Bern are all one big community,” said
Sonny Roberts, the co-chairman of the New Bern Military Alliance. “We look at
the Marine Corps as an extension of this community.”
Roberts stated that
the service members and their families have, and continue to greatly contribute
to the community.
“I hope the Marines
and Sailors can see how much we appreciate and value what they do for us,” said
Roberts. ”By having relationships with the civilian and retired community, the
Marines and Sailors get to meet a lot of new people and form new bonds. Everyone
involved can benefit from events like this.”
Those in attendance
participated in events like volleyball, bean-bag-toss and a number of other activities.
“We are all out here
having a good time, getting together while enjoying some good food, laughs and
building cohesion between our brothers, sisters and the community,” said Lance
Cpl. Nicholas Lacey, a geographical intelligence specialist with Marine Wing
Headquarters Squadron 2.
“I am grateful for
everything that the New Bern community has done,” said Lacey. “I think that it
is outstanding that there are people out there willing to serve us as Marines
and Sailors.”