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Marines


MCB Camp Pendleton

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Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Martinez shows kids how to build a cabin out of toy logs at the Marston Pavilion here June 7. He was one of the handful of service members who volunteered to watch children while their parents were at a pre-deployment meeting here. During the brief, families were informed on details of the deployment and resources available to families with spouses off at war. Dinner was also provided. Martinez is an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Service Company and will deploy next month to Iraq for seven months.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

3/2 Marines, sailors commence Operation Babysitter

7 Jun 2006 | Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

After being trained to fight terrorists, service members with of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment thought that they were ready for anything—even babysitting more than 50 hyperactive children.About a handful of service members with the battalion provided childcare for parents who were away at a pre-deployment brief at the Marston Pavilion here June 7. “We’ve been in situations where there was no childcare for the families,” said Navy Lt. John Anderson, the battalion’s chaplain. “By providing childcare it makes families more available.” So earlier that day, the chaplain gathered a group of Marines and sailors for the job.“I volunteered to help out the Chaplain and RP,” said Pfc. Emmanuel Martinez, an 18-year-old administrative clerk with the battalion. “Also for experience, if I have kids later.”Experience they did receive.A cavalry of caffeine-charged children charged the new babysitters as soon as mothers breached the playroom there.“It was fun but challenging trying to keep up with all the sugar-fueled kids,” said Staff Sgt. John B. Francis, training chief for the battalion. The chaplain decided to split the children into two groups: one half in the lounge to watch a movie and the other half to remain in the playroom.Still the kids’ energy rivaled that of the babysitters but the service members didn’t mind. “I wanted to do this because it reminds me of how I was when I was a kid,” said Seaman Drew P. Barkman, a 23-year-old religious program specialist from Clearville, Pa., who entertained a squad of children with paper puppets. All in all, service members were just glad they could help out their fellow service members.“I think I even had more fun than the kids,” Barkman said.
Photo Information

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Martinez shows kids how to build a cabin out of toy logs at the Marston Pavilion here June 7. He was one of the handful of service members who volunteered to watch children while their parents were at a pre-deployment meeting here. During the brief, families were informed on details of the deployment and resources available to families with spouses off at war. Dinner was also provided. Martinez is an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Service Company and will deploy next month to Iraq for seven months.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

3/2 Marines, sailors commence Operation Babysitter

7 Jun 2006 | Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

After being trained to fight terrorists, service members with of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment thought that they were ready for anything—even babysitting more than 50 hyperactive children.About a handful of service members with the battalion provided childcare for parents who were away at a pre-deployment brief at the Marston Pavilion here June 7. “We’ve been in situations where there was no childcare for the families,” said Navy Lt. John Anderson, the battalion’s chaplain. “By providing childcare it makes families more available.” So earlier that day, the chaplain gathered a group of Marines and sailors for the job.“I volunteered to help out the Chaplain and RP,” said Pfc. Emmanuel Martinez, an 18-year-old administrative clerk with the battalion. “Also for experience, if I have kids later.”Experience they did receive.A cavalry of caffeine-charged children charged the new babysitters as soon as mothers breached the playroom there.“It was fun but challenging trying to keep up with all the sugar-fueled kids,” said Staff Sgt. John B. Francis, training chief for the battalion. The chaplain decided to split the children into two groups: one half in the lounge to watch a movie and the other half to remain in the playroom.Still the kids’ energy rivaled that of the babysitters but the service members didn’t mind. “I wanted to do this because it reminds me of how I was when I was a kid,” said Seaman Drew P. Barkman, a 23-year-old religious program specialist from Clearville, Pa., who entertained a squad of children with paper puppets. All in all, service members were just glad they could help out their fellow service members.“I think I even had more fun than the kids,” Barkman said.