2003 Shrine Bowl gets unexpected reinforcements courtesy of RS Columbia

9 Jan 2004 | Sgt. Eric R. Lucero Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Once a year, the Shrine Association of the Carolinas hosts an all-star, high-school football game to benefit burn victims and crippled children. The proceeds gained from this year’s game, played in Rock Hill, SC, will help eradicate the medical costs for more than 15,000 outpatient clinic visits and over 15,500 physical therapy visits at the Shrine hospital in Greenville, SC.

This year, the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas received a very welcome assist in the form of about 30 Marines from Recruiting Station Columbia.

The Marines offered their services for the weekend to the Shrine Association and were more than welcomed. The Shriners wasted no time putting the Marines to work, having them do a variety of tasks from boiling peanuts for concession stands to bagging lunches. Some Marines were put to work selling programs and other Shrine Bowl memorabilia.

The nearly 300 hours of manpower, donated by the Marines did not go unnoticed by the Shriners or the visitors to the game.

“I don’t know what we would have done without them,” said Mary Beth Jacobs, a Shrine volunteer. “Before they arrived we were well behind schedule and then all of a sudden, all these young Marines were around and just like that, we were finished.

“To see young men like this come out and sacrifice they way they do without asking for anything in return makes me proud.”

Rather than rest after each task was completed, the Marines simply moved on to the next, many times going out of their way to look for more work.

“Whatever they need done,” was repeated time after time by Gunnery Sgt. Nikita T. Wallace, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Substation Rock Hill. “That’s why we’re here.”

Rather than quitting once the game started, the Marines simply worked in shifts. Most worked the concession stands while the others enjoyed the game and interacted with visitors in the stands.

“I was surprised to see the Marines at the game,” said Susan Worth, a Rock Hill native. “I was even more surprised when I found out they were there voluntarily. To get a young man in today’s world to give up his weekend without asking for anything in return says a lot about what [the] Marines do to a young man. Where do I sign my son up?”

Once the game was over, the Marines policed their areas, and held a brief formation to ensure accountability before bidding farewell to the Shriners and their new friends.

To say the Marines would be welcome at next
year’s game would be an understatement.

In all, the nearly 300 hours worked by the Marines resulted in the Shrine Association saving more than $2,000 in manpower, allowing that money to go where it is needed most, the hospitals and physical therapy clinics.

“I don’t care much about the money we saved with the Marines here,” said Joseph Tonkin, nobleman. “What those young men brought to the table today was an unparalleled work ethic with good spirits to match. I hope we seem them again next year.”

The 32 Marines from RSS Rock Hill and RSS Spartanburg are already planning to make the Shrine Bowl an annual event and are currently planning bigger and better things for next year’s game scheduled in Spartanburg, SC.
Marine Corps Recruiting Command