Posted on 10/18/2005 5:31:45 PM PDT by SandRat
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Oct. 18, 2005) -- When Marine 1st Sgt. John S. Kob returned home from Iraq in June, his family was ready to receive him with open arms, but 140,000 arms could get exhausting.
Kob’s unit, 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment, was adopted by the city of Newport Beach in December 2003, after the unit’s first return from Iraq. Newport Beach’s residents have provided everything from care packages for deployed Marines to emergency funds for families visiting their wounded heroes in medical facilities across the globe.
The city's most recent gesture occurred Sept. 29 when they hosted a Mess Night - for 150 of the unit’s staff noncommissioned officers and officers as well as the honored guest, Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, commanding general for 1st Marine Division.
One of the evening’s special guests was 88-year-old Sgt. Maj. Joseph W. Dailey, United States Marine Corps (Ret.). Dailey, a Navy Cross and Silver Star recipient, was the 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1969 – 1973, retiring in 1973.
“It feels great to be around all these Marines,” said Dailey, who also served with 1st Bn., 1st Marines during World War II. Dailey, who resides in Newport Beach with his wife, attends all of the special events the Newport Beach community sponsors for 1st Bn., 1st Marines. After all, like his fellow Newport Beach residents, he’s proud of the unit’s accomplishments and sacrifices.
“Marines are carrying on a great legacy in Iraq,” he said. But Newport Beach’s gratuity for the Camp Pendleton-based Marine unit extends beyond a handful of mess nights and handshakes. Newport Beach’s residents have assisted the Marines in times of need, and have “helped with many difficult circumstances,” said Lt. Col. David J. Furness, the unit’s commanding officer.
“During our last deployment, we had a young corporal evacuated to Singapore with a life threatening illness,” said Furness. “(The Newport Beach residents) paid for the entire family to visit the Marine and stay until he was transferred back to the United States.”
“Marines sacrifice so much and when the American public receives you so well, it’s a great feeling,” said Kob, a Fort Collins, Co., native and the company first sergeant for Company A, 1st Bn., 1st Marines. “The city of Newport Beach has received us with warm and open arms.” The Marines are often involved in community activities that allow the common citizen to interact with the Corps, said Furness.
Community members seized the opportunity to spend a little one on one time with the Marines, paying more than $200 per plate at the dinner.
“This event is being absorbed by both (the Marines and the community),” said Dick Kurth, Newport Beach’s assistant finance director, retired lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran. “The members genuinely care about these and all Marines.”
While the event was good for residents of Newport Beach, it was even better for the staff noncommissioned officers and officers of the battalion, said Furness, from Columbus, Ohio.
“These occasions build unit cohesion and camaraderie that helps sustain a unit during the tough times that lie ahead,” said Furness. The unit is scheduled to return to Iraq in January 2006.
“The fact that this special event was arranged and funded by our fellow citizens makes it mean even more,” said Kurth. “It helps validate each Marine’s service to the nation as well as bringing our association with those we protect closer to our heart.”
Don't even think about it. Not with your hair trigger ping finger.
:)
Loving Marines; Newport Beach, CA!
What did I just tell you? Hmmm, SR?
:)
Marines, bump!
OooohRaaaah!
Thanks for posting this article, SandRat.
Gunny,you and WN need to read thisun!
I lived there 25 years ago (Promintoriy Point) and couldn't have imgagined anything like this taking place.
Every night was taken up with going down to the 'Gorda Lis' and seeing who you could hook up with. And then there were the cook-outs across the channel at Corona del Mar.
I could regale you with the tales of walking across hot coals in a fire ring for a $1000 but then I would have to tell you of my dire plight to make the rent.
Then, there was the Fabienne Thibualt sound-a-alike who used to entertain at the Pasadena Hilton.
Another story, another time.
See? I keep TELLING everyone we're not all fruits and nuts!
:)
WAY TO GO Newport Beach!!! I'm proud that I live near you.
LOL!!!! I certainly hope I can remember that one! ;)
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.