'Third' saluted on the Fourth (Communities adopting Marines in SoCal)

The Orange County Register ^ | July 5th, 2006 | TERI SFORZA

[TheDon]

Huntington volunteers treat Marines to a thank-you picnic.

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War stories were traded at Tuesday's July Fourth barbecue for the Marines of Camp Pendleton's "Thundering Third," attended by about 150 people at the historic Newman House at Beach Boulevard.

It was the work of dozens of volunteers who have "adopted" the Marines – 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines – primarily to ease the strain on families left behind as warriors head to battle. Volunteers have thrown Halloween and Christmas parties, sent care packages to Iraq and welcomed troops home. Tuesday's barbecue was just a way to say "thank you."

The "adoption" phenomenon is popular. Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo have also adopted Marines. San Clemente adopted its Marines a decade ago.

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[TheDon]

There are many good examples of the support being given to the military and their families by communities in southern California in this article.