MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Aug. 30, 2007) -- Families of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit celebrated at Lake O’Neill here Aug. 25.
The gathering was a time for the families to get together and celebrate the fact that their Marines are close to coming home.
“We want to come together as sisters and share this milestone together,” said Jenny Mundy, 46, from Alexandria, Va., volunteer advisor for the party, and wife of Col. Sam Mundy, the commanding officer of the 13th MEU command element.
Spouses and children of Marines with the 13th MEU try to schedule a gathering once a month.
“Our husbands have been gone for four months,” Mundy said. “They have endured a summer overseas, and we have endured a summer with our kids!”
Stephanie Galindo, 21, from Oakland, came up with the idea to have the party. Mundy helped plan and put together a lot of the event, Galindo said.
“It was a joint effort from both of us,” Galindo said.
DJ Frank A. Shelter played the music for the event and brought games for kids to participate in. The games included a hula hoop, gum chewing contest and much more.
Families were given the opportunity to send a videotaped message for their deployed loved ones. An inflatable play area was a big hit for the children, and it gave the mothers a well deserved break.
“When you come to these events it helps take your mind off of things,” said Annette King, from Tampa Florida, wife of Sgt. Daron L. King, 13th MEU command element.
“I know what he is doing is right, and I support him,” King said.