thedrifter
04-22-04, 09:33 PM
Marines mingle with flak-jacketed beauties
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2004422173447
Story by Pfc. Paul Robbins Jr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(April 22, 2004) -- Kevlar...
Check.
Flak jacket...
Check.
51 beautiful women...
Check!
The 50 representatives, as well as last year's winner, of the Miss USA pageant visited Camp Pendleton April 1 - no April Foolin.'
Pendleton was one of many stops for the women on their tour of the country.
"We came here for a day trip to talk to Marines. It's great. I'm a military brat, so it's fun to get out here," said Guerin Austin, Miss Nebraska.
The women arrived at the South Mesa Club, where Maj. Gen. Keith Stalder, the deputy director of I Marine Expeditionary Force, greeted them. Afterward, the women were split into five groups and sent to various areas of the base.
Third Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division; 11th Marine Regiment; 1st Transportation Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, 3rd Marine Aircraft Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and the air station were treated to visits by pageant contestants.
The units provided an escort for each girl from the state she represents.
"It's awesome. I just got here two weeks ago. I just stood an inspection and they told me I was going to do this," said Pfc. Justin C. Huegal, 18, of Spencer, Neb., an administrative clerk for Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group.
"None of us believed it," he said. "We thought it was an April Fool's joke. But when we saw them walking up ... it's great."
The women toured the units and static displays. Some rode in humvees and amphibious assault vehicles.
"It was the best, great. Really dusty. I got a good idea of what (Marines) go through Ñ the lightened version anyway," Victoria L. Franklin, Miss Nevada, said about riding in the medium tactical vehicle replacement or "7- ton."
After their tours, the women stepped into lines at area mess halls with their escorts. Following their meal, they posed for photos with the Marines before reuniting to leave the base.
Both Marines and beauty queens deemed the experience enjoyable.
"The best part was seeing all these beautiful girls in flaks and kevlars," Huegal said.
"This is the best thing we've done since we've been in California," Franklin said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004422173755/$file/Copy-of-miss-michiganlow.jpg
Stacey Lee, Miss Michigan, receives help while exiting the back of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement during a Miss USA tour April 1. Photo by: Pfc. Paul Robbins Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3DA8F72835134B4485256E7E00768AA7?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2004422173447
Story by Pfc. Paul Robbins Jr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(April 22, 2004) -- Kevlar...
Check.
Flak jacket...
Check.
51 beautiful women...
Check!
The 50 representatives, as well as last year's winner, of the Miss USA pageant visited Camp Pendleton April 1 - no April Foolin.'
Pendleton was one of many stops for the women on their tour of the country.
"We came here for a day trip to talk to Marines. It's great. I'm a military brat, so it's fun to get out here," said Guerin Austin, Miss Nebraska.
The women arrived at the South Mesa Club, where Maj. Gen. Keith Stalder, the deputy director of I Marine Expeditionary Force, greeted them. Afterward, the women were split into five groups and sent to various areas of the base.
Third Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division; 11th Marine Regiment; 1st Transportation Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, 3rd Marine Aircraft Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and the air station were treated to visits by pageant contestants.
The units provided an escort for each girl from the state she represents.
"It's awesome. I just got here two weeks ago. I just stood an inspection and they told me I was going to do this," said Pfc. Justin C. Huegal, 18, of Spencer, Neb., an administrative clerk for Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group.
"None of us believed it," he said. "We thought it was an April Fool's joke. But when we saw them walking up ... it's great."
The women toured the units and static displays. Some rode in humvees and amphibious assault vehicles.
"It was the best, great. Really dusty. I got a good idea of what (Marines) go through Ñ the lightened version anyway," Victoria L. Franklin, Miss Nevada, said about riding in the medium tactical vehicle replacement or "7- ton."
After their tours, the women stepped into lines at area mess halls with their escorts. Following their meal, they posed for photos with the Marines before reuniting to leave the base.
Both Marines and beauty queens deemed the experience enjoyable.
"The best part was seeing all these beautiful girls in flaks and kevlars," Huegal said.
"This is the best thing we've done since we've been in California," Franklin said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004422173755/$file/Copy-of-miss-michiganlow.jpg
Stacey Lee, Miss Michigan, receives help while exiting the back of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement during a Miss USA tour April 1. Photo by: Pfc. Paul Robbins Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3DA8F72835134B4485256E7E00768AA7?opendocument
Ellie