Ashley, a dancer with the Miami Marlins’ Mermaids pets one of the Provost Marshal’s Office K-9 unit dogs after a demonstration by PMO’s K-9 unit here Dec. 7. The Marlins spent the day visiting different units around the station, signing autographs and spending time with Marines while learning about what Marines aboard the station do every day. Armed Forces Entertainment gives professional athletes, comedians and other entertainers the opportunity to visit American bases and stations outside the continental U.S. This is the fourth AFE trip the Marlins have conducted and their::r::::n::first time visiting the Pacific region. Everywhere the Marlins went they were greeted with open arms by Marines who were more than willing to share stories about their daily lives, but::r::::n::most importantly to get to spend time with the visitors. The Marlins signed autographs for service members and a baseball for the commanding officer of each unit they visited. After::r::::n::visiting several units aboard the station, the Marlins went::r::::n::to the Penny Lake baseball field where the Mermaids practiced and performed a dance routine with resident children while the players played a mini-softball game with other children. AFE::r::::n::organizes approximately 120 yearly trips that entertain::r::::n::approximately 500,000 troops.

Photo by Pfc. Benjamin Pryer

Major league makes major travels, Miami Marlins visit Pacific Theater

15 Dec 2011 | Pfc. Benjamin Pryer Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Members of the Miami Marlins major league baseball team, with support from Armed Forces Entertainment, spent a full day visiting station residents here Dec. 7.

Three Marlins’ players, along with three Miami Marlins’ Mermaids team dancers, traveled in a two week tour visiting military bases across the Pacific to spend time with service members far from home.

“It is really good for the morale of the troops and their families to get a taste of Americana, to have a piece of home brought to them,” said Capt. John Gileland, AFE pacific circuit manager.

AFE gives professional athletes, comedians and other entertainers the opportunity to visit American bases and stations outside the continental U.S.

This is the fourth AFE trip the Marlins have conducted and their first time visiting the Pacific region.

“The Marlins love seeing what the troops do, to experience firsthand what the different units do on a daily basis is something they will always remember,” said Gileland. “I’ve got my (military occupational specialty) but even for me to see what the different bases and MOSs do overseas is a learning experience.”

The Marlins started the day with early morning physical training with Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. After thanking the Marines and posing for a group photo, they cleaned up and prepared for the rest of their day.

“We are eternally thankful for all (the troops) do for us,” said Bryan Petersen, Miami Marlins outfielder. “We want to show the troops they mean so much to us that we will take the time to fly out here and support them.”

The Marlins spent the day visiting different units around the station, signing autographs and spending time with Marines while learning about what Marines aboard the station do every day.

“It was really cool to see that the Marines are normal,” said Petersen. “You get this viewpoint of guys that just hold guns, but they have their jobs just like us. They have families, emotions, feelings, yet they do something for a living that is so incredible that getting to see this personal side really helps to relate to them.”

Everywhere the Marlins went they were greeted with open arms by Marines who were more than willing to share stories about their daily lives, but most importantly to get to spend time with the visitors.

“Because we’re (Department of Defense), the entertainers who go on these trips aren’t getting paid,” said Jennifer Milikien, AFE public affairs director. “Everyone who comes on tour is here because they really want to be here, to give back to the troops.”

The Marlins signed autographs for service members and a baseball for the commanding officer of each unit they visited.

“The Marines have been so welcoming here, it has been amazing,” said Milikien. “Every unit we visited has been so excited to meet the players and the dancers. It’s been a wonderful experience.”

After visiting several units aboard the station, the Marlins went to the Penny Lake baseball field where the Mermaids practiced and performed a dance routine with resident children while the players played a mini-softball game with other children.

“For a lot of the young Marines, they get right out of boot camp and school, and this is their first duty station,” said Master Sgt. Roy D. Whitener, MWSS-171 operations chief. “For the junior Marines to get an opportunity like this is a great benefit for them and the performers who get to see the people protecting them.”

After signing more autographs for the children, the Marlins’ players participated in a softball game with station residents.

“For the junior Marines to be this far away from home for two or more years, it would be beneficial to get a lot more of these events,” said Whitener. “This kind of event is great for the Marines, the kids and families aboard the station.”

AFE organizes approximately 120 annual trips that entertain approximately 500,000 troops.

“The whole experience has been overwhelming, but enjoyable,” said Stephanie, Miami Marlins Mermaid dancer. “I wish everyone on the team could come here.”

The Marlins’ players and dancers spent the entire day with the Marines aboard the station.

“You guys are my heroes. It is so different being with troops, and it means so much to us to be able to come out here and see how our service members live,” said Stephanie. “I feel so welcomed here. This day means a lot to us, and we really appreciate everything you do for us. I think it means just as much to us getting to come visit you as it does for you guys.”