The event was a ‘support the troops’ rally held at the Jacksonville Commons Park and was originally planned by five spouses of Marines stationed nearby.

 “With everything going on in the community, (the wives) decided ‘hey, you know what, it is time to get the community together and get the families out here,’” said Chrissy, the wife of a platoon sergeant with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “Let’s just get together and show our support for the troops.”

 Civilians and service members alike visited the rally to support the troops and were more than proud.

 “I have always lived here in Jacksonville around the Marines,” Meredith Jones, a Jacksonville, N.C., native, said. “I live my life in freedom because of the Marines out there. This is the least I could do.”

 Dozens of children were present to enjoy the festivities and to show support for their parents in the service.

 “Thank you, Marines, for giving us freedom,” one child said. “At school, we have writing folders and I wrote about my Marine daddy, and I said I want to be a Marine.”

 The event had entertainment for the children, such as Scooter the Clown, face painting and a fire truck display courtesy of the Jacksonville Fire Department.

 “We are here to show support for the troops and their families and everything that they do for the community of Jacksonville,” said fire Capt. Jimmy Davis of the Jacksonville Fire Department. “We try to get out to every event we can to show that support. By all means, we are glad to be here.”

 Aside from the festivities, the message was clear.

 “This is just proof the entire community is supporting the troops,” said one Marine wife. “The whole community is behind them. Regardless of what other people may say, they need to remember that Jacksonville is totally behind them.”

 The ladies, pleased with the turn out, have planned to schedule the next event in the Spring.