Marine wives get real treat

Elia Powers

Whenever Camp Pendleton’s 1st Battalion, 1st Marines return from

serving abroad, a group of the leathernecks’ wives holds an event to

celebrate.

Last March, they gathered at a Subway restaurant. On Monday, the

women were treated to a gourmet meal.

More than 20 wives -- and a few Marines who recently transferred

to Camp Pendleton -- sat in a banquet room ornately decorated with

food and spirits at the Arches in Newport Beach.

They dined on rib-eye steak and chicken piccata and accepted gift

baskets filled with treats.

“This is a huge step up,” said Anne Oxner, whose husband, Gunnery

Sgt. Kevin Oxner, is scheduled to return from Iraq with other Marines

in early June. “We are so honored and thankful for the invitation.”

The 1/1 -- as the infantry battalion is informally called -- has

been deployed since December. Anne Oxner, a mother of two boys, is a

coordinator of “Key Volunteers,” a collection of women who serve as a

support group for fellow Marine wives.

The city of Newport Beach adopted the infantry unit last year, and

Arches owner Dan Marcheano serves on the city’s 1/1 committee.

“This is to show support,” Marcheano said. “We tend to support the

troops but forget about their wives. They take care of everything.

They deserve recognition.”

Oxner and Arches office manager Colleen Atkinson helped plan the

event.

Marcheano, a former Marine, is known to invite Marines and their

families to dine for free at his restaurant. He donated a bottle of

wine to each woman at the Key Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

The Marine wives also were given a collection of cosmetic

products, shopping gift certificates, handmade purses and more than

$1,000 in cash to divide among them.

A group of Edison High School baseball parents worked for more

than two months to collect donations from department stores and other

philanthropists.

Huntington Beach resident JoAnne Schauer donated $250 worth of gas

cards to the women to cover their driving expenses from Camp

Pendleton to Newport Beach.

“They all have kids and routines keeping them there,” said John

Ward, whose wife, Vicki, helped to coordinate the basket donations.

“These women can’t always afford to drive up here with the gas prices

being what they are.”

Edison High parent Cindy Higgins said it was her goal to “spoil

the women” and make them feel appreciated.

And the guests of honor reciprocated, presenting a humbled

Marcheano with a plaque commemorating his support of the Marines and

their families.

“It’s overpowering,” Marcheano said. “They do everything for their

families. What do I do?”