More than 100 staff and family members were in attendance at Surface Warfare Officers School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes "Family Day" event, Aug. 12.

SWOSU's event offered children activities, face painting, an inflatable bouncy house, and various stations that offered family of staff a look into what work life is like for their Sailors. SWOSU offers the Navy's only apprentice training track for accession surface engineers, provides accession stage surface navigation training at the quartermaster "A" school and awards six Navy Enlisted Classifications through the delivery of 31 engineering "C" schools.

"Today is a great opportunity to show family what we do," said Cmdr. Eric Williams, commanding officer of SWOSU. "It is also a time where families can get together and spend the day having fun. I've been walking around meeting all the families and children; it is nice seeing them all having a great time."

Chief Machinist's Mate Eric Bolorin watched proudly as his son Narai, 12, was having fun donning the firefighting ensemble.

"Today gives kids the sense of what we do," Bolorin said. "It gets hard to spend quality time with our children sharing what we do when we go from command to command. An event like today allows me to share with my son what I do and what future Sailors will do."

Towards the end of the day lunch was provided followed by providing children with book bags and school supplies for their upcoming school year. The day's activities, lunch and school supply giveaways were organized by the SWOSU's Petty Officer Association (POA).

"Today was an opportunity to bring everyone together as a family," said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Jennia Howard, coordinator of Family Day. "It is great seeing all these children today. I love the children, love talking to them; they are so creative and they have brilliant minds. Being here just brightens my day."

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