In early November of 2008 the Assistant Division Commander Sgt. Major Harkins asked dif our unit could make a Young Marine presence for general Salinas and the 1st Marine Division band. The Young Marines were to be part of the audience and get to experience music from the band some Christmas caroling With General Salinas and Santa Claus. When the unit arrived at MCRD we had a quick head count
and ate dinner 
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and then moved to the bleachers in front of the Generals building. The unit was marched over to the bleachers the unit was stopped and waited until CO Guiles located the units seats in the bleachers.
The Young Marines took their seats (before the Young Marines took their seats the CO gave the word for the Young Marines to grab a Christmas cookie compliments of MCCS) 
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. The Marine Corps Recruits graduating this friday took their seats in the bleachers to the left and the right of the Young Marines. The show began and the Young Marines enjoyed some great Christmas music 
(we even enjoyed music from General Salinas and Sgt. major brown), there was a Santa comedy skit and a visit from Santa at the end of the show. Now Santa was the star of the show for all of the kids to see and of course their was an awesome skit that involved a Marines Christmas (a take on the night before Christmas) and Santa Claus 
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The real treat came when General Salinas asked all of the kids in the audience to join her in lighting the Christmas tree 
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and to join her on stage as she read 'Twas the night before Christmas' to all of the kids on the stage. General Salinas said hi to all of the Children and she even said "wow we even, some Young Marines with us tonight" 
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. General Salinas read the Christmas story to al of the children, Young Marines and the audience. the show ended with everyone singing Christmas carols and Santa waving good night to all 
. It was a great show and a real treat for everyone. Thank you General Salinas for inviting the Young Marines they enjoyed your Christmas show, and thank you Sgt. Major Harkins for passing the word. And of course before we left MCRD, San diego we had to stop and get a picture by a Marine Corps Semi trailer 
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