Good to the Corps

June Casagrande

Balboa Island businesswoman Gail Hammerschmidt is giving a whole new

meaning to the name of Marine Avenue.

The owner of the Sandpiper, a general store on the island’s main

drag, is the latest local to jump aboard a plan to reach out and

touch members of the city’s “adopted” Marine unit in Iraq. Her store

has dedicated one end of its counter to those who want to send cards

and notes to members of the 1st Battalion 1st Marines -- the city’s

unofficially adopted Marine Corps unit, now stationed in Iraq. The

store will pay the postage, mail the cards and notes and will give

10% off any card in the store that buyers send to the Marines through

the program.

Hammerschmidt said she was inspired by an article in the island’s

local newsletter, written by Councilman Steve Bromberg, urging locals

to drop a note, a valentine or just a regular card to members of the

unit serving in Iraq.

“We thought, why not just set up a section of our counter where we

can help people do this, brighten the Marines’ day,” said

Hammerschmidt, whose husband works for the Orange Coast College Crew

team. She’s gotten to know several of the team’s members who have

gone to Iraq to serve in the armed forces.

Bromberg, a former Marine who helped push a plan for the city to

establish a relationship with the Camp Pendleton-based Marine Corps

unit, said he’s thrilled that members of the community are taking

time to let Marines know how much their service is appreciated.

“It’s just heartwarming to see the community getting involved the

way it is,” Bromberg said. “There’s been a very significant response

for the guys who are serving in the 1-1 overseas, and it’s very

heartwarming to see it.”