Temecula Valley’s Relay for Life 2010

For the last 7 years the Temecula Valley Young Marines have helped the American Cancer Society during their annual Relay for Life event. Last year the Temecula Valley Young Marines played an important part in this event, as they had 5 teams Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo and Fox teams. The unit had 67 Young Marines and Staff from Alpha to Delta teams and there were 25 Parent volunteers and siblings on teams Echo and Fox that participated in the event. The Young Marines helped raise over 68,000 dollars for the fight against cancer this year. The unit alone raised $3,890 dollars. We also had the honor of celebrating the lives of more than 50 cancer survivors!!!

This is the units 7th year participating in the Relay For Life event for the City of Temecula each year is more challenging but always worth it. This year’s Relay For Life started on Saturday May 15th, The unit actually started on Friday night ensuring that all of the participants who needed help had the support of the Young Marines. The Security Force and CO Guiles stayed overnight on Friday night the Security Force (Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles, J, MGySgt. Guiles, N, Sgt. Redick, Cpl. Munoz, Cpl. Criske, PFC. Bowker and PFC. Rubio) were on hand to ensure the area and everyone’s gear was secure. The Security Force worked all night and into the morning setting up tents, chairs, and washing and wrapping 170 potatoes , , . At 0146 the CO and the Security Force celebrated Young Marine Cpl. Munoz's Birthday precisely on the time he was born ,. On Saturday Morning everyone arrived at the relay by 0630 the equipment was brought in and tents were put up. The Relay For Life came to life after a host of announcements. The unit Color Guard was ready and did a great job marching out the colors for the audience during the National Anthem , the Color Guard then led the relay’s cancer survivors around the track for the first lap with everyone cheering them on. The unit and the relay participants were led around the track for the second lap by the Color Guard. The day grew on (luckily this year it was only 74 degrees) and the Young Marines were on hand to place water and ice in buckets along the track for all of the participants. The Units field kitchen came in handy it helped feed 660 participants Lunch, Dinner, Midnight snacks and breakfast. As the heat of the day began to zoom high and the units 1st aid tent was becoming popular with all of the participants. Some of the High School participants came to the tent for ice packs, sports tape or just a bandage. Or in the case of Young Marine MGySgt. Guiles time caught up with him after 23 hours of no sleep he finally got some .

As the evening went on the Young Marines walked the track (The unit’s guidon never left the track it was always kept on the track at all times) , , . The Co’s Challenge was in effect and Young Marines walked their laps (click here to see the results). at 2130 the Units Security Force took their positions to deny people into the Relay and keep the area safe. At 0700 some Young Marines the CO, Mrs. Munoz and a parent volunteer Mrs. McDaneld cooked McDonald’s pancakes and served them to the Relay Participants , . Young Marine Sgt. Major Guiles was able to steal a 30 minute nap after almost 42 hours of on and off sleep the Sgt. Major tried to keep up with CO Guiles who had not slept for 46 hours due to Security, Relay Setup, making sure his Young Marines were doing ok.The Relay ended at 0900 on Sunday May 16th, announcements were made and awards were handed out to the Relay Participants. When the ceremonies were completed the Young Marines were reformed up at their campsite. The CO thanked the unit and then passed on the orders to clean up our area and pack up our trailer and the unit’s field kitchen. When those two missions were completed the Young Marines were allowed to go home if their parents had signed out with the unit Adjutant. The unit left the area with another Relay down and a great accomplishment as well, another job well done Young Marines and another Relay taken care of. Ooh- RAH!!!

CO Guiles would like to thank all of the parents who helped out at the Relay and a big thank you to Mr. Munoz and Mr. Dominguez who sat in the hot sun cooking at the field kitchen both Lunch and Dinner. And thank you to Mr. Criske for towing the field kitchen to and from the relay event. Mrs. Tovares, Mrs. German, Mrs. Burks and Mrs. Waikle for helping out at the registration booth. Thank you to Mr. Gonzalez for running around the track on our last lap and taking pictures .

The Relay Managers thank you Message can be read here

Photos are available on the unit’s photo page

CO's Challenge Page