Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

"The West Coast's Premiere Expeditionary Training Base"
Edson Range leathernecks get medieval

By Cpl. David Christian | | April 26, 2001

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- It looks as though hundreds of bricks were laid to fashion the medieval castle built by Marines that stands approximately 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide. But not one brick was used.

Made mostly out of plastic, wood and paint, the castle is actually an elaborate puppet show stage built for students at Washington Middle School in Vista for their Second Annual Medieval Times Arts and Crafts Fair scheduled for Saturday at the school, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Three Edson Range Marines here volunteered their time and money to create the structure: GySgt. Richard Kearney, Sgt. Anthony L. Blancett and Sgt. Matt Barndt, all with Range Company, Weapons Field Battalion.

Kearney's 12-year-old daughter, Kristy, attends the school. So when Kearny heard the students needed a stage built, he, along with two co-workers, offered their time and talents.

"The teacher in charge of the festival asked if I would help," said Kearney.
The Marines started building the castle at the Edson Range target factory during off-duty hours the first week of March.

"As the timeline came to an end, we realized we needed to work on Saturdays and Sundays to finish the project," said Kearney.

After about 75 hours of crafting and $175 from the Marine's own pockets, the puppet stage was completed and delivered to the school April 17.

"It's so much more than I imagined," said Callie M. Ruiz, seventh and eighth grade teacher and Medieval Times Club sponsor at Washington Middle School. "Everything from the old English letters to the painting is excellent. They created the whole castle! It's the work of experts."

The three Marines employed skills they learned from their jobs, which include building office spaces and podiums.
Kearney has woodworking experience building decks, attics and home additions.

"It's always wonderful when we have community groups like the Marines working with our students," said Dr. Shawn M. Wirth, assistant principal, Washington Middle School. "It's something that will help our overall school program."

The time and effort the Marines sacrificed was a good investment.
"When you see the kids as happy as they are, it makes it all worthwhile," said Barndt.

In addition to a puppet show, the fair includes a silent auction, book fair, costume contest, food court and bird show.