Photo By Lance Cpl. David Hersey | Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann pulls a Humvee May 16 during the Highland Games at the parade...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, Japan - The notes of a Scottish bagpipe drift over the audience as the opening ceremony begins. Soon, Marines would be testing their strength against each other, but first, honor was paid to their heritage with the playing of the “Marines’ Hymn.” Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, competed in the Highland Games May 16 at the parade deck on Camp Hansen.
The traditional event is named after its place of origin, the Scottish Highlands.
Historically, during the Highland Games, Scottish clans came together to support their strongest men as they competed in a weeklong event to win bragging rights for the clan. Feasting, music, dancing and several other pastimes also took place while others watched the competition.
Only lasting a day, the regiment’s games served as an opportunity for the Marines to participate in some friendly competition while getting to show off their own strengths, according to Col. Lance A. McDaniel, the commanding officer of regiment.
“In the Marine Corps, we value strength and functional fitness because they’re part of what we need to complete our missions,” said McDaniel, a Waco, Texas, native. “These games are all about that, and they also feed the Marines’ competitive nature while giving them an opportunity to come together and have a good time.”
The Marines competed in events such as the stone put, similar to the Olympics’ shot put, as well as a hammer throw and caber toss. In the caber toss, the competitor balances and then throws a long, tapered pole, flipping it to where the upper end impacts the ground and it falls forward, like the turning of a clock.
Three teams competed in the games: one from each of the two units organic to the regiment, and one team comprised of competitors from the three units attached to the regiment as part of the unit deployment program.
While the three units under the UDP worked as a single team in the competition, all five units also chose one Marine to represent them as the strongman. The strongmen participated in each event before finishing with a Humvee pull. The winner earned the title of regiment strongman and was awarded a kilt, a traditional Scottish garment.
For the competing Marines, the games provided a chance to show off their warrior strength, according to Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann, a fire support man with the regiment. More importantly, the event brought Marines in each unit closer together, by having their fellow brothers and sisters support them as the Scottish clans did.
“Everyone loves a good show,” said Baumann, a Junction City,
Kan., native. “We got to show off, but the support we got from our teams helped us push past our limits, and the tight camaraderie and high morale were definitely present.”
In the end, Marines with the UDP won the team competition. They were awarded a trophy, marking their status as champions. The UDP Marines then claimed a second victory as Sgt. Nils A. Aylor II, a motor vehicle operator with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, currently assigned to 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, won the strongman competition.
The event was the perfect opportunity to build bonds between the units while also providing an enjoyable activity they all could share, according to Cassie Filipe, the family readiness officer with the regiment.
"Events like this breed a friendly competitive spirit while encouraging fitness,” said Filipe, a Yucca Valley, Calif., native. “They get to have a good time, and the winners of course get bragging rights. We’re hoping to make this a yearly event, and from what we’ve seen today, I think it’s going to happen.”
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2014 04:31 |
| Story ID: | 131276 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | WACO, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | YUCCA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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