Marines

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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Marines gather around the Pacific War Memorial to pose for a photo after finishing their run in support of the Semper Fi Fund on Nov. 15, 2014. The Marines finished the run using partners, each runner rotating around every 3 miles — and each having run around 15 miles in a 24-hour period. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Harley Thomas)

Photo by Pfc. Harley Thomas

3rd Marines run for fun(ds)

21 Nov 2014 | Pfc. Harley Thomas Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment ran around Oahu on Nov. 14 and 15, 2014 in support of the Semper Fi Fund.

The Semper Fi Fund, established in 2004, provides assistance and support to wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the armed forces and their families.

Gunnery Sgt. Cory Laguna, the intelligence chief for 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, said the unit raised $2,500 and is working to reach a goal of $3,000.

“We’re keeping the donations open for a little longer for the Semper Fi Fund,” said Laguna, a Schuylkill Haven, Pa., native. “It’s a really good cause and it’s been one that has been near and dear to my heart for some time.”

Laguna said the donations are accepted through a proxy fundraising website. He said donors can share the Semper Fi Fund mission in social media.

Lance Cpl. William Meyer, an intelligence specialist with 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, said the run was mentally and physically challenging, but added that it’s a great cause and has helped to bring 3rd Marines together.

Meyer, a Puyallup, Wash., native, said the Marines started at the regiment building and went out the back gate, around Kailua and around the island, hugging the shore. He said pairs of runners ran while four separate vehicles, each with 4 to 5 Marines, drove behind them. Each pair ran in 3 to 5-mile increments but they would try to switch out about every 3 miles.

Meyer, being a newer member to the regiment, said this helped him get to know the people he works with on a personal level.

“Seeing everybody you work with continue to push and get through it all definitely motivates you,” Meyer said. “There was a point where five Marines did Kaena Point, which is one leg where you have to run 5 miles and it’s just uphill and all rocks. (The run) was very physical and by the end, we ran 15 miles or more per person. That’s a lot in 24 hours. You get to your third or fourth stint and think you want to stop, but you push through it.”

Meyer said despite the physical aspect, the run was very rewarding.

“I’ve never gone around Oahu so it was nice to get to see all the different (areas),” Meyer said. “You make really, really great memories with the Marines and I look forward to doing it again next year because it was an awesome experience.”

Laguna said the race definitely builds camaraderie, while also giving the Marines a chance to talk back and forth with one another about who’s running faster or who’s suffering.

“This is something I never did as a junior Marine and it’s something I would have loved to have done,” Laguna said. “These guys get the experience of knowing they’ve helped promote the Semper Fi Fund and contribute and give something back. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Laguna said he hopes to see this continue long after his tenure here and to eventually see $10,000 raised for the fund.

“I would love to see this turn into a competition among sections or units on base so we could raise even more funds and have some good Marine-spirited competition,” Laguna said. “Even here in Hawaii, work can get stressful and this is a good way for everyone to interact. We may have burned up Saturday and a good part of Friday, but we had a lot of fun doing it.”

 

 


Marine Corps Base Hawaii