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.”
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