MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Marines of Marine Aircraft Logistic Squadron 12 once again suited up in their best effort to scare the Air Station community at this year's haunted house.
The annual haunted house offered Marines, Sailors and their families a taste of Halloween sweets and scares, which resembled the time honored tradition from back in the states.
Dressed in tattered clothes and painted with ghostly makeup to look like decomposing corpses, the Marines of MALS-12 left few un-rattled and able to speak at the end of the guided tour through the house.
The Marines, who spent countless hours of their free time working on the preparations for the haunted house, did their best to make sure no one left without at least one good scream.
"I volunteered to do this 100 percent," said Lance Cpl. Richard Henning. "Waiting for the first scream you get was the best part. But every scream I got made being out here worth it to me. They screamed bloody murder a few times!"
Visitors to the house gave Henning and his frightening friends what they wanted as small children clutched to parents and girlfriends to their boyfriends.
For other Marines, the chance to celebrate Halloween the old fashion with costumes was more motivating than scarring the life out of their visitors.
"I was a vampire this year with the fake blood and teeth," said Lance Cpl. Michelle Vinson, as it was her job to promote the haunted house outside the entrance. "My fangs really sold the part too," she explained.
According to Sgt. Juan Paredes, coordinator for this year's haunted house, admission was free, but a donation was greatly appreciated. Once the total amount is calculated the money collected will be donated to two charities; one to a local orphanage and the other to Matthew C. Perry schools.
"We want to give back to the community as much as we can," said Paredes.
"If the kids at the orphanage and at the schools can benefit from us having fun and doing a little bit of work at the same time, then everyone wins. It feels good to make a difference."
For service members who will be here next year and newly arrived personnel, Paredes promises and even more terrifying haunted house next year.
"Next year people will be running out screaming, but coming back for more," he said. Besides, Paredes added with a mischievous smile, "It is all in the name of charity."