1ST MARINE CORPS DISTRICT, GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- First Marine Corps District and the Armory Foundation joined forces once again to host the second annual Marine Corps Holiday Classic at the Track and Field Center in Manhattan, Dec. 27.
During the all-day track meet, Leathernecks from 1st Marine Corps District and Recruiting Stations New York and New Jersey came together with the Armory staff to set up an Enhanced Area Canvassing Event geared to thousands of high school athletes, coaches and parents from 32 schools in the tri-state area.
The partnership between the Armory and the Corps was formed over a year ago in order to reach a target market through the support of physical fitness events. It was one of 40 events the Marine Corps agreed to be involved with at the Armory with the hopes of generating more leads and awareness in both public and privates schools.
"The Marine Corps looks for physically fit, hard working individuals with a competitive nature and an understanding of teamwork," said Maj. Pietro P. Scarselli, commanding officer of RS New York. “These athletes prove they have the discipline and the work ethic we look for in Marine recruits.”
In addition to the Chin-Up Challenge, the Marine Corps also provided a color guard, a singer to perform the National Anthem, and awards for the top athletes. To further add to the event’s Corps theme, officials were provided with hats and polo shirts and the ‘For Country’ commercial played periodically during the meet on the a large screen suspended over one end of the track.
Brigadier Gen. Richard T. Tryon, commanding general of Eastern Recruiting Region, was in attendance along with Former Marine and Mayor of New York City, David Dinkins.
Both men attended last year’s inaugural event and came out once again to show their support for the partnership between high school athletics and the Marine Corps.
But, the most memorable part of the day was the 4x200m relay in which Marines from RS New York and New Jersey faced off to showcase their physical fitness and compete for Metropolitan Area bragging rights.
It was a close race at first, but runners from RS New Jersey, many fresh off Parris Island, proved to be too much for RS New York to handle.
“It was a competitive race … all the way up until we decided to let the young bucks win,” joked Sgt. Joshua Stueve, the marketing and public affairs Marine for RS New York who ran the first leg of the relay.“You can't just go out there and beat young Marines like that. As older, more seasoned Marines, it's our duty to build their confidence and self-esteem.”
But, the friendly competition did more than build the confidence of the RS New Jersey Marines. It also entertained the crowd and offered an opportunity for them to see a different side of the Marine Corps.
“It’s important for these kids to see that we're athletic and competitive just like they are,” said Stueve. “Seeing Marines at events like this competing and having fun allows them to see another side of the Corps, one they can identify with and know they will enjoy.”