thedrifter
05-21-07, 07:22 AM
Showing some love to the military
Annual event for Marines, families
By Michael Stetz
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 20, 2007
OCEANSIDE – The concept seems more poignant, more appropriate, each year.
It's a community rallying to say “thank you” to its battle-weary Marines.
Marines such as David Dube, 33, a sergeant who has been deployed to Iraq three times now.
The last time away, he missed the birth of his second son, Noah, who is 10 months old.
Dube may have to go to Iraq again. Who knows?
The war goes on, but these Camp Pendleton Marines and their families got a break yesterday from the anxiety, loneliness and stress that war brings.
They were treated to “Operation Appreciation,” a daylong event held at the city of Oceanside's band shell, where games, rides and free food were abundant.
So was this message: Thanks.
“It is tough,” Dube said of the many deployments and time away from his family. “The mission can be exhausting.”
The war is not popular with the American public. In a poll conducted by CNN earlier this month, 65 percent of those responding said they opposed the war.
Marines said yesterday's event is a reminder that their role in it is respected and valued, regardless.
“I think people put their personal beliefs aside,” Dube said. “The war may be becoming unpopular, but we still feel support.”
Jenifer Peters, 28, attended the event with her two children. Her husband, Zach, couldn't make it. He's in Afghanistan. Before that, he served a tour in Iraq.
Peters believes that most people, regardless of how they feel about the war, understand that Marines are doing their jobs. They have orders. They have no say in the broader picture.
“They made a commitment,” she said.
For this moment, it seemed hard to believe that many of these Marines had the weight of war on their shoulders. Their children were everywhere. They were playing games, riding rides, holding balloons, skipping, running, laughing.
Big, tough, strong Marines cradled babies, not weapons, in their arms.
“It's really hard, missing those holidays, missing my son grow up,” said Sgt. Ray Avila, 27, who served a recent tour in Iraq.
He came here with his wife, Diane, and son Ray Jr., 2.
He may have to go back, he said. He's not sure. He's waiting. On this day, though, Iraq seemed, fittingly, a long way away.
“I love all the smiles,” said David Nydegger, chief executive officer of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
The idea for the event came to him after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He knew Marines soon would be in the thick of it somewhere.
The first Operation Appreciation was held in 2002. Sure enough, Marines were already in Afghanistan.
Nydegger's organization, as well as the North County Times, the city of Oceanside and the Armed Services YMCA of Camp Pendleton, put it together.
He's not surprised that the public still strongly supports its Marines, despite the souring public opinion of the war. He served two tours in Vietnam with the Navy. The public, then, turned on the military.
“I think the civilian community today has a much better understanding of what the military goes through,” Nydegger said.
The strain of war has been difficult for some Marines, said Vince Juarez, 35, a gunnery sergeant who goes to Iraq this summer.
Some Marine marriages are breaking up because of the stresses, he said, adding, “It's taking its toll.”
Michael Stetz: (619) 293-1720; michael.stetz@uniontrib.com
Ellie
Annual event for Marines, families
By Michael Stetz
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 20, 2007
OCEANSIDE – The concept seems more poignant, more appropriate, each year.
It's a community rallying to say “thank you” to its battle-weary Marines.
Marines such as David Dube, 33, a sergeant who has been deployed to Iraq three times now.
The last time away, he missed the birth of his second son, Noah, who is 10 months old.
Dube may have to go to Iraq again. Who knows?
The war goes on, but these Camp Pendleton Marines and their families got a break yesterday from the anxiety, loneliness and stress that war brings.
They were treated to “Operation Appreciation,” a daylong event held at the city of Oceanside's band shell, where games, rides and free food were abundant.
So was this message: Thanks.
“It is tough,” Dube said of the many deployments and time away from his family. “The mission can be exhausting.”
The war is not popular with the American public. In a poll conducted by CNN earlier this month, 65 percent of those responding said they opposed the war.
Marines said yesterday's event is a reminder that their role in it is respected and valued, regardless.
“I think people put their personal beliefs aside,” Dube said. “The war may be becoming unpopular, but we still feel support.”
Jenifer Peters, 28, attended the event with her two children. Her husband, Zach, couldn't make it. He's in Afghanistan. Before that, he served a tour in Iraq.
Peters believes that most people, regardless of how they feel about the war, understand that Marines are doing their jobs. They have orders. They have no say in the broader picture.
“They made a commitment,” she said.
For this moment, it seemed hard to believe that many of these Marines had the weight of war on their shoulders. Their children were everywhere. They were playing games, riding rides, holding balloons, skipping, running, laughing.
Big, tough, strong Marines cradled babies, not weapons, in their arms.
“It's really hard, missing those holidays, missing my son grow up,” said Sgt. Ray Avila, 27, who served a recent tour in Iraq.
He came here with his wife, Diane, and son Ray Jr., 2.
He may have to go back, he said. He's not sure. He's waiting. On this day, though, Iraq seemed, fittingly, a long way away.
“I love all the smiles,” said David Nydegger, chief executive officer of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
The idea for the event came to him after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He knew Marines soon would be in the thick of it somewhere.
The first Operation Appreciation was held in 2002. Sure enough, Marines were already in Afghanistan.
Nydegger's organization, as well as the North County Times, the city of Oceanside and the Armed Services YMCA of Camp Pendleton, put it together.
He's not surprised that the public still strongly supports its Marines, despite the souring public opinion of the war. He served two tours in Vietnam with the Navy. The public, then, turned on the military.
“I think the civilian community today has a much better understanding of what the military goes through,” Nydegger said.
The strain of war has been difficult for some Marines, said Vince Juarez, 35, a gunnery sergeant who goes to Iraq this summer.
Some Marine marriages are breaking up because of the stresses, he said, adding, “It's taking its toll.”
Michael Stetz: (619) 293-1720; michael.stetz@uniontrib.com
Ellie