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Skaters take off from Robb Field Skate Park in San Diego Dec. 9 for the 4th annual Skate for the Troops. After a seven-mile trip around Mission Bay, participants gathered for a raffle of donated skating merchandise and free lunch from the InSlider truck.

Photo by Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot

Skate for the Troops marks 4th year

10 Dec 2012 | Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

San Diego, Calif. “I got retired for [post-traumatic stress disorder], and nothing ever worked,” said Franklin Quiros, a retired Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor and Oceanside, Calif., native. “This is what works for me, skating.”



Quiros was one of nearly 30 skate and longboarders who traveled to Robb Field Skate Park in San Diego to support the 4th annual Skate for the Troops Dec. 9. 



Approximately 50 participants attended the event that raised more than $500 for the Semper Fi Fund. Since its inception, Skate for the Troops events have raised more than $2,500 for the charity. 



“I wanted to come out here to support the Semper Fi Fund,” said Quiros, whose long hair, piercings and numerous tattoos belie his conservative past in the Marine Corps. “I know what it does and I know what it stands for. If I had more money, I’d donate more money. One day I might end up using the fund, too. So, I might as well do a skate for it.”



This year’s Skate for the Troops was a seven-mile trek around Mission Bay, followed by a raffle of prizes donated by local skate and longboarding shops and a free lunch from the InSlider food truck.

Charlotte Smith, the event’s organizer and San Diego native, explained that her husband, Derek Smith, founded the event in order to support his fellow Marines while doing what he loves – longboarding.

"He decided he wanted to give back. He was a Marine for four years, he served in Iraq twice,” explained Charlotte. “Derek is a longboarder and he knew he wanted to do an event involving this industry because these guys are awesome. They get a lot of bad raps because of the stigma that comes with skateboarding. We wanted to show that this is a positive community.”



Derek Smith, the event founder and Mechanicsville, Md., native, explained that some changes to the event have made it more accessible to potential skaters.



“The first time I started this, I wanted to do a crazy, ridiculous amount of distance like 30 miles. We did it from Oceanside to Torrey Pines, which is like 20 miles,” said Derek, a former heavy equipment and motor transport operator in the Marine Corps. “Last year we did about 12 miles and this year we’re doing seven. It’s getting shorter and shorter, but it’s not for me, it’s for everyone else.”



Derek’s sister, Army 1st Lt. Janelle Smith, also a Mechanicsville, Md., native, and adjutant with the 145th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, added that improved publicity has helped spread the word about the event. However, she expressed concerned that potential volunteers may think they aren’t right for a longboarding event.



“I’m also concerned that some of [active-duty military] don’t skate, so they feel like they can’t participate in any way, but there is so much more that they can do,” said Janelle, who also works at the Veterans Village of San Diego as a therapist.

Whether a volunteer skates or not, he or she will find a warm welcome and a positive opportunity to give back to the Semper Fi Fund at Skate for the Troops.


“Not many people really care. It’s sad,” said Quiros. “I’ll do anything for these guys. I’d give them my board if they needed it, you know? That’s why I’m here.”