MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, along with Marines from Combat Logistics Company 21 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, participated in a Turkey Bowl Nov. 21, 2014.

The football oriented day was a chance for the Marines, sailors and their families to build esprit de corps and lead into the upcoming holidays.

“The Regiment, battalions and families are the focus for today, the command cares about them on a personal level,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. John O’Connell, the communications chief of CLR-25 and a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. “Work hard and play hard is the mindset we want to have while playing football. Accompanied with cookouts, field meets, fair rules and responsibilities, we hope to strengthen bonds within the unit.”

Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Company 21 traveled from MCAS Cherry Point, so the entire regiment could participate in the sports and festivities.

“Units take any opportunity get out, build personal relationships and establish good healthy competition,” said O’Connell. “It’s not just competition, its sportsmanship; it’s more of a family as a team.”

This year’s event was the first of many planned Turkey Bowls throughout the base and gave the Marines a break from work that allowed them to spend more time with their families and friends before Thanksgiving.

“For our first Turkey Bowl, we are holding a flag football tournament,” said Col. Kevin Stewart, Commanding Officer of CLR-25 and a native of Severna Park, Maryland. “Everyone is out here and we’re cooking a pig. It’s an opportunity to spend together outside the workplace, letting the Marines know how much we value their families being out here.”