MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Walking from booth to booth in the gloomy gray drizzle, Sgt. Cecilio Garcia couldn’t help but grin as he filled up his two plastic bags with an assortment of free goodies.   

As an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Garcia is used to having Marines thank him for his help with their leave, pay and other issues.

On June 9 however, Garcia received a different form of gratitude at the 5th annual Military Appreciation Day.

In conjunction with local San Diego businesses, MCAS Miramar Marine Corps Community Services hosted the two-hour long event to thank Garcia and other Marines and Sailors aboard Miramar for their continued day-to-day efforts in supporting the country.

Military supporters offered free food, baseball tickets and ceramic frog piggybanks to Marines who spent their lunch breaks walking from booth to booth in the Bowling Center parking lot.

“What else can I say, I feel appreciated,” said Garcia as he looked down at his jumbo-sized bag of potato chips, cup of pasta and ceramic mug. “I’m really grateful for all the sponsors who came out here and did this for us. It really makes us feel valued.”

Richard Soule, director, MCAS Miramar MCCS, had Marines like Garcia in mind when he created the appreciation day. Soule wanted to thank the local Marines and boost their morale after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, so he turned to the Miramar Air Show sponsors and other local businesses for their support.
“The vendors really look forward to coming out here every year to show the military just how much they really are appreciated,” said Denise Fairbanks, special event manager, MCCS. “If it wasn’t for the sponsors, there wouldn’t be an event.”
Navy Federal Credit Union, the presenting sponsor, had a lot of fun giving away prizes and interacting with the servicemembers.
“This gives us an opportunity to show our support for all that the Marines and Sailors are doing,” said Cathy Spetter, regional marketing manager, NFCU, as servicemembers spun their homemade wheel at a chance to win prizes and baseball tickets. “The one-on-one interaction helps make the event great. I especially enjoy seeing the smiles on all of their faces.”
Every time a Marine came to spin the wheel, the NFCU representatives would shout out words of encouragement like “come on, land on four stars!” If a Marine landed on that spot, they would receive four tickets to a Padres baseball game.
When Staff Sgt. Milton Lawrence, aviation supply clerk, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, spun the wheel he expected to win a mug or notepad. Lawrence was shocked when he won the tickets.
Spetter smiled as Lawrence’s expression grew and his eyes bulged.
“This is why we come here,” she said. “He can take his buddies and have a good time and that makes it worth it.”
Though Garcia didn’t win any big prizes, he left the event feeling very appreciated.
“This is my third time here, and I plan on coming back next year,” he said. “Besides, what beats free food?”