CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- With roughly half of its troops already on their way to Iraq, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's remaining Marines and sailors spent the afternoon of June 18 at Onslow Beach with family and friends as the MEU celebrated Family Day. The event was the last opportunity for the MEU's families to get together socially before the rest of the unit departs.During the party, the beach was adorned with towels and sand castles as Marines and family members ate hotdogs and hamburgers and spent time with loved ones. Music from an attending disc jockey set the mood with upbeat tunes from various decades while each Marine found their own special way to relax. Most spent time dancing, swimming, surfing, body boarding, or building sandcastles with their family.The MEU will continue its flow of troops to the Middle East over the next two weeks. The entire unit is expected to be in Iraq by mid-July.