TuesdaysTogether Styled Shoot — Jacksonville, NC

From our Jacksonville TuesdaysTogether leader, Tiffany:

“Our Tuesdays Together Jacksonville NC group got together for a collaborative shoot honoring our community. I suggested doing a 1940s Military Theme in honor of Camp Lejeune which was founded in 1941. Aside from the Rising Tide, it is what links us all together. Whether members are married to an active duty Marine or Sailor, married to a retired Marine or Sailor, or civilians who just love working with these families, we are all somehow connected to our local military community.

Camp Lejeune is home to close to 50,000 Marines and Sailors. The base and surrounding community is home to an active duty, dependent, retiree, and civilian employee population of approximately 170,000 people. Our local Tuesdays Together group was created in March 2016. We currently have 119 members that specialize in photography, cake decorating, model management, graphic design, and HMUA. Over half of our members are spouses of active duty or retired Marines and Sailors. Even those that are not married to a military member serve them or their family in some way.

We decided to have a split table that could represent us as a group and the Marine Corps we love. The front side features our Tuesdays Together sheet that tells a little about Camp Lejeune and our Tuesdays Together group.  This side of the cake shows the Marine Corps dress blues that are worn for special events and services. The back side represents the Fallen Comrade Table.  This table can be found at every Mess Hall and formal event. The table provides a way to tell that members of the Marine Corps are unable to be with us.  It is set for one, yet there are many represented by the single chair.  The single lighted candle reminds us of the flame of eternal life that the memory of our fallen will be with us always. A single red rose signifies the blood that many have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.The identification tags blank, yet they could bear the name of Marines of every creed and color, and from every state in the Union.  The dinner setting inverted is symbolic that they dine with us in spirit only. Both sides of this table represent our group and the connection we have to each other. We are our own family away from family and support each other through deployments, times of training separation, and joys of homecomings. Although it can be difficult at times, we are extremely proud to be a part of our military community and this Tuesdays Together group!”

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