Turkey, Traditions, and Triumph

HAWAII, UNITED STATES

11.27.2024

Story by Sgt. Julian Elliott-Drouin 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

As the holiday festivities are in full swing, Headquarters Battalion continues its own tradition with its second annual Turkey Bowl. This year, sections within the battalion engaged in fierce competition to snatch the trophy from last year’s winner, the Installation Personnel Administration Center (IPAC).

The Turkey Bowl allowed the battalion to showcase the diverse athleticism and determination of its Marines throughout the week-long event, which included a 400-meter and 100-meter relay race on day one, a dodgeball tournament on day 2, a swim relay and tug of war on day 3, a sled push and tire flip relay on day 4, and pugil sticks and ground fighting on day 5.

At the end of the fifth day, it all came down to a 3-way tie breaker between teams Provost Marshal's Office (PMO), IPAC, and Finance, with the cake, a long weekend and bragging rights, on the line. It was decided with a final bout of ground fighting. When the dust settled, only one team stood. Congratulations were given to PMO as the battalion leadership, Lt. Col. H. Parker Consaul and Sgt. Maj. Mayra Moreno, presented the overall winners with the hard-earned battle ax trophy.

“Things like the Turkey Bowl, especially right before the holidays, are very important,” said Moreno. “A lot of Marines don’t get to go home, and the family, the cohesiveness, the morale that is developed…allows Marines to feel like they’re part of a greater good.”

The battalion tackled the challenge of bringing together sections regardless of their work schedules, allowing Marines to engage with each other in competitive and team-building activities. The Turkey Bowl created a sense of community at a crucial time of the year, ensuring everyone felt supported and cared for.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2024
• Date Posted: 11.30.2024 15:52
• Story ID: 486331
• Location: HAWAII, US