MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Marine Corps is comprised of men and women with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds from every region of the world.

During Multi-Cultural Heritage Day May 4, hosted by Miramar's Marine Corps Community Services, participants learned about various cultures, sampled authentic ethnic dishes and enjoyed a variety of entertainment originated from an array of foreign countries.

"The (celebration) is an event that is here to allow Marines and Sailors to recognize the different cultural backgrounds that we originate from and to celebrate that diversity that exists in the Marine Corps and the Navy," said Master Sgt. Christopher J. Massari, equal opportunity adviser, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. "It is a chance for commanders to recognize that contribution from those ethnic groups."

Although the heritage day provided the opportunity for Marines and Sailors to explore their fellow servicemember's backgrounds, it also raised money for a special cause.

"We gave people a taste of all different types of nationalities today and also raised money for the Marine Corps Ball," said Gunnery Sgt. Richard M. Duran, logistics chief, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "We provided the multi-cultural martial arts booth and 'Cantina 37,' which is (MWSG-37's) Mexican food booth. We had a very good turnout."

According to Massari, the greatest part of the festival was the appeal it held for servicemembers.

"The best thing to me about Multi-Cultural Heritage Day is Marines have a reason to come here and hopefully learn something about one of the cultures that they take interest in," said Massari. "We don't have to twist their arms to get them to come here. They want to come, unlike some events that are mandatory. People seem to enjoy coming to this."

As is customary with Marines, a competition between participating units was held and monetary prizes were presented as an award for the overall best exhibits.

"If you did your homework and you put time and effort into the educational part, and if you could explain to the sergeants major (judging each booth) exactly what it was they were looking at, a unit display could win first-, second- or third-place prizes," said Sgt. Juan M. SanchezDuarte, awards clerk, Marine Aircraft Group 46, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

According to SanchezDuarte, although this year's heritage day wasn't as large as it was a year ago, it was still an all-inclusive event.

"It is smaller than last year, but all the countries are still represented," he said. "Last year, we had several repeats of booths representing the same country. This year, it is smaller but it has all of the countries from last year and even some new ones, without any repeats."

Although, the new countries and competitions helped boost attendance for the heritage day, they weren't the sole reason it was a successful celebration.

"The best thing I could see from the festival was not the competition, but the fact that you have so many different backgrounds," said Duran. "You can have all the booths and everything else that you want, but it takes everyone else out here to make it successful."