MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The sun came up and the dew was still on the grass as the Marines were setting up for a full day of events involving softball games, a live band, and other events.
The entire 10th Marine Regiment came together during a maintenance stand down for the annual King of Battle Big Sticks Softball Tournament, a day of softball, festivities and fun for the Marines and their families.
“We just came back from training up at Fort Bragg conducting Operation Rolling Thunder, and this was a great thing for all the guys out here,” explained Chief Warrant Officer-4 William Dagenhart, who put the entire event together with Staff Sgt. Richard A. Mattice. “Without him, this entire day and events would have been a bust.”
The day started out with 14 different softball teams in a single elimination tournament. There were roughly 1,930 Marines from the regiment who were gathered here to watch the games and take part in their own side games of soccer and football.
Everyone broke for lunch and enjoyed music from a live band after the first half of games. A few waitresses from the local Hooters restaurant along with other local sponsors served lunch and beverages to the Marines and all who were in attendance for the day’s events.
“We had a great day today here Marines, let me hear an OOHRAH!” said Lt. Col. Terrance P. Brennan, executive officer of 10th Marine Regiment.
Brennan awarded the winning team, whose average age was 19 years old, plaques for coming in first place during this year’s annual King of Battle Big Sticks Tournament.