thedrifter
01-12-07, 06:21 AM
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Marines have 'parent' city
Rancho Santa Margarita adopts a Camp Pendleton regiment.
By ALEJANDRA MOLINA
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment became a part of Rancho Santa Margarita's extended family after the City Council at their Wednesday meeting unanimously approved to adopt the battalion.
Mayor Tony Beall said the adoption of the Marines will give people an opportunity to reach out.
"Rancho Santa Margarita has a long tradition of active community and volunteers," Beall said.
Once adopting the battalion, the city will form committees to organize fundraisers, facilitate donations and coordinate the efforts of service groups.
Lance Corporal John McLaughlin, 22, said the adoption and community involvement helps him have good morale.
"It's a booster to finish this deployment," McLaughlin said.
The battalion, the most decorated infantry battalion in the Marines, will redeploy to Iraq in March. The unit has served two previous tours of duty there. Seventeen of its Marines have died in the Iraq war.
Before the adoption, the City hosted a reception at the Bell Tower Regional to meet and greet the Marines.
Veteran Hans Bjornker of Rancho Santa Margarita, who served in WWII and the Korean War, said seeing the community partner with the battalion made him feel great and appreciative.
"It's good to know that a young group like this is fighting for us," Bjornker said.
Don Schneider of Coto de Caza attended the reception to encourage and support the battalion. He also brought his three children to the reception to help them understand the importance of supporting the troops, he said.
"We read about it in the newspaper and we see it in television but here is an example where we can meet the people who are brave enough to protect us," Schneider said.
Contact the writer: amolina@ocregister.com or 949-454-7347
Ellie
Marines have 'parent' city
Rancho Santa Margarita adopts a Camp Pendleton regiment.
By ALEJANDRA MOLINA
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment became a part of Rancho Santa Margarita's extended family after the City Council at their Wednesday meeting unanimously approved to adopt the battalion.
Mayor Tony Beall said the adoption of the Marines will give people an opportunity to reach out.
"Rancho Santa Margarita has a long tradition of active community and volunteers," Beall said.
Once adopting the battalion, the city will form committees to organize fundraisers, facilitate donations and coordinate the efforts of service groups.
Lance Corporal John McLaughlin, 22, said the adoption and community involvement helps him have good morale.
"It's a booster to finish this deployment," McLaughlin said.
The battalion, the most decorated infantry battalion in the Marines, will redeploy to Iraq in March. The unit has served two previous tours of duty there. Seventeen of its Marines have died in the Iraq war.
Before the adoption, the City hosted a reception at the Bell Tower Regional to meet and greet the Marines.
Veteran Hans Bjornker of Rancho Santa Margarita, who served in WWII and the Korean War, said seeing the community partner with the battalion made him feel great and appreciative.
"It's good to know that a young group like this is fighting for us," Bjornker said.
Don Schneider of Coto de Caza attended the reception to encourage and support the battalion. He also brought his three children to the reception to help them understand the importance of supporting the troops, he said.
"We read about it in the newspaper and we see it in television but here is an example where we can meet the people who are brave enough to protect us," Schneider said.
Contact the writer: amolina@ocregister.com or 949-454-7347
Ellie