MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
Marine Attack
Training Squadron 203 Marines and families gathered to participate in the simiannual
pig pickin’event, sponsored by the Havelock Military Affairs Committee at
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, March 22.
The MAC started the
pig pickin’ in 1992 as a way to support service members at the air station.
“This event shows
how much the community supports the Marines, Sailors and their families,” said
Mary McGarvey, a volunteer during the Pig Pickin’. “We hope that the Marines
see that Havelock supports the Marine Corps like no other community.”
The pig pickin’ is
the community’s way of saying thanks to the Marines for having an excellent
relationship with the outside community, explained McGarvey. Not many events
offer the community, military and their families a chance to come together like
a pig pickin’.
The Havelock MAC
offered food, games and a chance to come together and connect with the Havelock
community, while relaxing with fellow Marines and families.
“The military and
our civilian counterparts don’t get to interact that often,” said Lt. Col.
Timothy Anderson, commanding officer of VMAT-203. “It’s through events like
this that we get people together to meet and interact.”
More than 300
Marines, family members and members of the Havelock community attended the
event and enjoyed a feast of pork, mashed potatoes, hush puppies, vegetables
and much more.
“Events like this
are beneficial, because it gives everyone a chance to eat great food and
interact with fellow Marines,” said Lance Cpl. Austin Z. Banner, an AV-8B
Harrier airframe mechanic with VMAT-203. “The volunteers worked hard to put
everything together, and it turned out great.”
Banner encourages
Marines and their families to attend events like this, because it helps build
camaraderie and is a great time for all who attend.