Photo By Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel | Sergeant Tyler Milke, the chief scout for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Visitors from Mission Viejo, California, including members of the Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee, toured Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, January 7, 2015.
The committee adopted Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. They host fundraisers, community events, and toy drives in support of the unit.
“They want to come out and see what the Marines do,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul Klug, the maintenance officer for truck company, HQBN, 1st MARDIV, I MEF. “They can see what their money and support is doing for the base and the Marines.”
During their tour, the visitors met with several of the units and were able to see some of the specialized equipment they use. They went to the 11th Marine Regiment to see the M777 Howitzer, explored the inner workings of an Amphibious Assault Vehicle at the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, and tried the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
“Everything they’re doing seems so natural for us as Marines, but they don’t see that side of it,” said Klug. “Now they get to actually see what the Marines do, how they train, and the vehicles and equipment they use on a regular basis.”
1st MARDIV stays involved with the community of Mission Viejo to show their appreciation.
“It’s a strong, constant relationship because we constantly support them,” said Klug, “whether it’s sending a color guard out there for a ceremony or getting volunteers to go out there for Relay for Life.”
The tour was another way for the unit to thank the adoption committee and the people of Mission Viejo for everything they do to support the unit. The committee helps with everything from baby showers to holiday meals and even hosts an annual Lake Day for the Marines and their families to come and enjoy free food, boating, and family fun.
“If they see a need for something, a Marine having problems, they’ll try to do something within the community to help,” said Klug.
Bruce Hunt, the chairman of the Mission Viejo Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee, makes things happen when someone has an idea on how to help, whether it’s for the whole community or for one struggling family.
“Gunnery Sgt. Cervantes found out he had stage four cancer so we knew it would be hard on him, especially around Christmas time,” said Hunt. “We gave him a check for $2,000. We heard back from him that he had a slab leak about the same time that cost $2,500 and said we just made his Christmas wonderful. All his kids signed it saying thank you.”
Hunt said the Marines and Sailors are a major priority for the members of the committee.
“Everybody here, everybody who works with us, knows that everything we do, we do for the Marines,” said Hunt. “They’ll do anything in the world for you. These guys have opened their lives, opened their hearts, opened everything to us.”
1st MARDIV and the adoption committee continue to search for ways to support each other and are considering making the Camp Pendleton tour an annual event. The support of the committee and people of Mission Viejo keeps morale up so the Marines can focus on training and preparing to respond to emergent situations all over the world.
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.09.2015 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 151635 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MISSION VIEJO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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