MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marines and sailors with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 formed up as the sun rose over the horizon for a beach cleanup and run Sept. 25, 2013.
Leaders of MALS-24 conduct weekly physical training, but decided to change the schedule and combine PT with a beach cleanup.
“Not only is it good to PT as a squadron, but I think people enjoy the change of pace,” said Lance Cpl. Megan Vidricksen, an airframe mechanic with MALS-24, 29-year-old, and native of Salinas, Kan. “I know it may not seem like a big deal to many people here today, but it really does have a positive impact.”
The formation started at MALS-24’s Hangar 375, continued down Mokapu Road toward the Eagle Scout Trail. The Marine and sailors reached the western part of North Beach.
Once they reached North Beach, Marines and sailors broke out the trash bags and rubber gloves to start cleaning up the beach.
“We picked up plastic, glass bottles, cans and trash left from people who couldn’t seem to find the garbage can,” said Master Sgt. Gary Walker, the quality assurance and assistance maintenance chief for MALS-24, and 44-year-old native of Newark, Ohio. “It was shocking, how much garbage we picked up. This base is our home and we have to do everything we can to keep it clean.”
The clean up covered the entire North Beach from the most western end to the farthest eastern point.
The MALS-24 Warriors cooled down from their morning exercise by placing the equivalent of a truckload of trash to waiting vehicles near the dog park on Bancroft Drive.
“You should always help when you have the ability to make something better,” Walker said. “All we did was take advantage of a good opportunity and I’m sure this won’t be the last time MALS-24 does something like this.”