MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, flaunted their holiday spirit during the Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym Dec. 18, 2015.
Service members and their families dressed in festive holiday attire as they ran a mile through the station chanting cadences, singing carols and spreading their holiday cheer throughout the station.
Barbara Roman, a fitness coordinator with Marine Corps Community Services, said the Jingle Bell Jog is an annual event that has brought service members together for more than 10 years and has grown more and more successful with each passing year.
“We do the same run every year and each year we try to make it bigger and better than the last,” said Roman. “Around 2,000 residents showed up this year, which is the most we’ve ever had, and it’s very fulfilling seeing this kind of outcome.”
Lance Cpl. Natalie Mullin, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, said most service members on the air station spend the holidays away from their families but find comfort in station activities like this reassuring them that even though they are away from home, they still have family here to celebrate the holidays with.
“I think events like these are important because around this time of year some military members may get sad because they aren’t with their family,” said Mullin. “Coming together for a good time like this lifts everyone’s spirits and reminds us that even though we may not be home, we’re still with family.”
Mullin said that if she wasn’t changing duty stations, she would participate in this event next year.
For more information on future events, call MCCS Semper Fit at 253-6103.