Oceanside CA— Fifty-six Camp Pendleton Marines were treated to boat rides and Thanksgiving dinner thanks to a joint effort by the Oceanside Yacht Club and Stone Brewing. This was the 10th year the Oceanside Yacht Club has held the event and the fifth year Stone Brewing Co. has been a partner.
“Our members supplied 10 sail and power boats and took the Marines out to sea for what was, for many, their first trip out on the ocean.” said Oceanside Yacht Club Commodore, Michael Cobas

“The cool part was I always told my friends and family, back home, I wanted to learn how to sail so to actually come out here and do that was pretty interesting. It was my first time out on the ocean” said Corey Baucom an Illinois native. “I got to hang out on a powerboat and it was really interesting, pretty bumpy out there.” said Hunter Stonebreaker, an Iowa native.
After the boat rides, the Marines were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

For the majority of the Marines at the event, this was their first Thanksgiving away from home. “We do five complete family size meals, five turkeys, five everything.” explained Chris Cochran with Stone Brewing. “It’s a wonderful thing to bring these guys a sense of home.”
With this being their first Thanksgiving away from home, Chris said , “It’s important for us to give back and make sure they know that what they are doing for us, while it can be taken for granted by many, is important and we want to show that it is appreciated.” added Mr. Cochran, “It was awesome. They came off the boats just beaming and then devoured the appetizers. Everyone in the kitchen was saying, we have so much food, we have so much food. Then the Marines start to go through the line and you think, wow that’s the biggest plate of food I’ve ever seen until the next one walks by.”

“It’s always nice to go to an event where people want to show their appreciation.”said PFC, Eliuth Jimenez from Clearwater, Florida, “It’s nice being here, seeing all the smiles and people having a good time. I get food, time off base, it’s good.” PFC Jimenez added it was nice to have people show that all the hard work is being appreciated.
In addition to the five family sized meals prepared for the Marines, Stone Brewing Co. supplied forty-five more for Casa de Amparo, one of the leading centers for the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Oceanside and San Marcos.