FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM | JUL 11, 2013 | THE FLAGSHIP | A3
IndepedenceDay Left: Sailors participate in a water balloon fight during a steel beach picnic aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Right: Yeoman 1st Class Martin Villegas places hamburgers on a grill during a steel beach picnic aboard the USS Carter Hall.
MC3 (SW/AW) Sabrina Fine
MC3 (SW/AW) Sabrina Fine
Carter Hall celebrates the 4th of July By MC3 (SW/AW) Sabrina Fine Amphibious Squadron Four Public Affairs
ARABIAN SEA
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) celebrated the 4th of July with a steel beach picnic, July 4. The event was sponsored by the Junior Enlisted Association (JEA), which is an organization comprised of Sailors in paygrades E-1 through E-4, with the common goal to increase fellowship and morale. “The steel beach picnic is a success because everyone is happy and having a lot of fun,” said Yeoman Seaman Kayleigh Betschart, a member of JEA. “We have so much potential for hosting morale-boosting events, and it’s only going to get bigger and better.” The events of the day consisted of a barbecue, tug-ofwar, an egg-throwing contest, water balloon fight and sumo wrestling. “A steel beach picnic is a little break from the monotony we experience at sea,” said Command Master Chief Christopher Fitzgerald. “Even if we can’t be home to barbecue and go to the beach with our families, it definitely gives lasting memories to say that we did a steel beach picnic in the middle of the ocean on the 4th of July.” The flight deck was full of laughing and cheering as music played and Sailors and Marines danced to popular songs. “When there are Sailors and Marines aboard together, events like this one give them a chance to hang out with each other and bond,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a core that you establish, it brings everyone close together so if we have to respond to a real-world mission they stick together and have a common bond in doing what our country needs us to do.”
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Even if we can’t be home to barbecue and go to the beach with our families, it definitely gives lasting memories to say that we did a steel beach picnic in the middle of the ocean on the 4th of July.” - Command Master Chief Christopher Fitzgerald
Kearsarge honors nation’s birthday Sailors and Marines display the national ensign in honor of Independence Day aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, and with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
MCSN Travis M. DiPerna
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