MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The culture and traditions of nations around the world came together as several hundred Camp Pendleton residents filled the South Mesa Club to witness this year’s 6th Annual Multicultural Day, May 18.

During the event, themed “Celebrate America,” base residents received the opportunity to see traditional dances and songs from China, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Africa and Russia.

Foods from various parts of the world were also available to attendees to enjoy while they watched the performances on stage.

Before the event started, Capt. Ollis J. Mozon, base chaplain, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton provided the crowd and dancers with an invocation and Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer, MCB Camp Pendleton, expressed how appreciative he was to host this event again.

“It’s a real honor to have the representatives of so many cultures under one roof,” said Marano. “This is by far one of the most important events that we conduct on Pendleton, because it gives the Marines and their families a taste of what life is like outside our borders.”

 Although dancing and singing filled the South Mesa Club, educating the Pendleton families was the primary goal of this event.

“This is truly a great experience for me and my children,” said Sarah Snedden, a Camp Pendleton Marine’s spouse. “This gives my children an opportunity to see how other cultures around the world celebrate and that’s something no textbook can teach.”

Information booths around the club offered a more in-depth look at the history and culture of specific countries displayed during the event. Patrons who explored the Chinese-themed booth were assisted by a representative who helped them write their name in Chinese and discover which animal they represented on the Chinese calendar.

“Each booth has its own distinct feel to it,” said Snedden. “This just goes to show you how different lives may be around the world and how we can all come together to inspire one another as Americans.”

To conclude this year’s event, all members of each culture took to the stage joined arms and took a bow, showing that even though they celebrate different traditions, they all come together as Americans.