‘Thundering Third’ feted

Dave Brooks

A battalion of Camp Pendleton Marines invaded Huntington Beach over

the weekend, but they weren’t intent on routing out insurgents or

holding weapons checkpoints. Instead, the young men were on a

relatively simple mission: They were trying to have a nice time.

The Marines were celebrating the birthday of the Marine Corp. with

a special dinner and reception hosted by the Hyatt Regency Resort and

Spa and sponsored by the city of Huntington Beach and Assemblyman Tom

Harman. Marines came to the reception in formal uniform attire, many

accompanied by their girlfriends and wives dressed in evening gowns,

while local politicians and city officials sported black tuxedos. The

hotel’s Grand Ballroom was transformed into a dazzling mess hall for

the battalion of Marines, who are preparing to return to Iraq in

September.

Just a month ago, the Huntington Beach City Council voted

unanimously to adopt the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, commonly referred

to as the “3/1” or “Thundering Third.” The city’s adoption program is

based on a Newport Beach initiative that raised over $90,000 to help

the families of Marines whose husbands are serving in Iraq. Other

cities, including Buena Park, also donated.

Huntington Beach officials will oversee the local initiative,

which will pool private donations into a special nonprofit fund.

“There’s been an absolute outpouring for this organization,”

volunteer Tim Sloat said. “We want to provide direct financial

support. We can cut a check for someone in 24 hours.”

Sloat said the money would go to such things as helping the wife

of a Marine get her car fixed or make a late rent payment. Officials

with the adopt-a-Marine program also plans to set up a network to

send care packages to both Marines overseas and their wives.

“I think it’s great that the community is rallying around the

Marines,” Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez said. “When you’re going into

harm’s way, it’s good to know someone is behind you.”

The Marines are scheduled to redeploy to Iraq in September, just

nine months after returning home following a daunting campaign by the

Thundering Third to recapture Fallouja. Although no specific figures

are available, personnel with the Marine Corps said the battalion

suffered a high number of casualties during the military campaign.

“It’s very sad because you don’t always know where your husband

is,” Anna Jimenez said.

Master Sgt. Brad Chandler said it was comforting knowing that he

had so much support before being sent into harm’s way.

“It’s outstanding and it says a lot about Huntington Beach,” he

said. “It’s a good feeling to know that we have the community behind

us.”

Chandler said the adopt-a-Marine program gives the Marines peace

of mind.

“We can do our jobs better when we know things are being taken

care of at home,” he said.