MSRON 7 Holds Kids Monster Mash on Guam

By James Fee, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 7 hosted a Kids Monster Mash aboard U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) April 10.

The event, coordinated by MSRON 7 and its Family Readiness Group (FRG), allowed children whose parents are assigned to the command to get a perspective of the Sailors' responsibilities, skills and requirements to maintain mission readiness.

The Kids Monster Mash was similar to the competition MSRON 7 holds quarterly to challenge Sailors physically and mentally and keep them mission ready. The children's event featured eight different exercises: a relay race, tire pull, battle dress stations, push-ups, sit-ups, a soft-pellet air rifle shoot, water balloon grenade toss and a mud pit trench crawl.

Valerie Rose, the command's FRG chairwoman, said it was a "good time to bring the families together" in light of April 2010 being recognized by the DoD as the Month of the Military Child.

"We all cannot function without each other," said Rose. "We all need the support of one another to make it work."

Cmdr. Bryon Johnson, MSRON 7 commanding officer, brought his son to the event, and said by showing children what Sailors do, families understand how they are part of a community.

"Because they feel part of a team, they'll understand when mom or dad has to depart for mission support some place, to go do their part for the team," said Johnson.

He added that one of the main objectives of the event was to motivate the young participants to lead active lives.

"The goal here is not to figure out how many push-ups and sit-ups someone can physically do," said Johnson. "It's to try and inspire them to believe in a healthy lifestyle."

Children were divided into two teams with volunteers from Guam High School's Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) leading each team.

"To see everyone's facial expressions, they're so happy," said Krista Dipierro, a NJROTC volunteer. "It's nice to share that happiness."

Volunteers from MSRON 7 and the NBG security department helped run the exercises. According to Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Meredith Love, of the NBG security department, participating in events such as this is enjoyable.

"We get to get dirty with the kids and it's fun," said Love.

MSRON 7, which was commissioned in May 2004, provides rapidly deployable forces to conduct or support anti-terrorism and force protection missions. It promotes the Maritime Strategy by providing security for American citizens through the application of sea power and by strengthening partnerships with allied nations.