Marines wash a few good cars

They may be among the few and the proud, but the Marines who belong to Newport Beach’s adopted military unit, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, spent much of their Saturday washing cars off Coast Highway.

Members of the 1/1 Marines, based at Camp Pendleton, washed, buffed and polished some expensive wheels to a shine.

“The goal of the event today was for the 1/1 to raise funds to help pay for the battalion’s November 17th Marine birthday ball, and to make sure those at the bottom of the Marine pay scale have a chance to attend,” said Laura Dietz, a local resident who serves as military liaison for Newport Sunrise Rotary and helped the Marines publicize the car wash.

Newport Beach adopted the 1/1, which has seen action in Afghanistan and Iraq, in 2003.

“We are praying that the 1/1 returns home with everyone safely in the next few months, in time for them to have their event and celebrate their unselfish service to our country,” Dietz added in a prepared statement. “As civilians, it is our duty to support those who protect us each and every day, around the world.”

— Imran Vittachi