CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Anyone driving around Camp Lejeune’s surrounding cities on any given afternoon will see various types of cars. Many Marines rev their engines at stop lights in their Mustangs and Camaros. Others seem larger than life in their lifted trucks with tires that can compare in size to those of a Marine Corps “7-ton” Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement.
One Marine, Lance Cpl. William Kresse, a combat videographer with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, can be seen in his bright green Scion xB that he is currently preparing for the upcoming car show season, which stretches from spring to fall.
Kresse, a member of a national car club called Scikotics, has been participating in car shows since August 2007.
The Midlothian, Texas native has been a member of two different chapters of the club; the Dallas Fort-Worth Scikotics and the Queen Anne’s Revenge Scikotics, based out of Jacksonville, N.C.
“Our car club is like a family,” Kresse said. “We hang out at least two to three times a week. There are people of all age groups and some of the older guys are like father figures to me. We help each other out in any way we can.
“We do all our own work,” he continued. “One of the guys owns a paint shop and another has a shop at his house where we do some of our work.”
Along with his fellow club members, Kresse attends approximately 15-20 car shows throughout the duration of car show season.
As the spring months approach, Kresse is preparing the green box for the first car show of the season, which will be held March 12.
“I have been doing modifications to my car,” Kresse said. “Most recently I had the wheels painted to color-match the car paint. Getting your car ready for a car show is like getting your uniform ready for an inspection… every little detail counts.”
Kresse said he enjoys the car shows because it gives him a chance to show off his work, make new friends and win prizes.
“[The car shows] will typically have raffles and all of the money goes to charity,” he said. “They also give away prizes and trophies to the best cars.”
Kresse has won the ‘Top Box’ trophy twice and the ‘Top 30’ trophy once.
Now as locals, visitors and Marines drive through the Camp Lejeune area and they see the bright green box standing out amongst the more plain colored and typical shaped cars, they will know that this driver has worked hard and is proud of his award-winning car.