A holiday wish for the soldiers from the mayor

On behalf of the Newport Beach “1/1” [1st Battalion 1st Marine]

Adoption Committee, the Newport Beach City Council and, by all means,

the citizens of Newport Beach, I would like to wish the entire “1/1”

Landing Team a very happy holiday, Merry Christmas and a safe new

year.

The relationship that we have with the “1/1” is something we are

all so proud of and, most of all, something that we cherish. I know

from speaking with you, the feeling is mutual.

When committee member Tim Sloat, himself a retired marine, and I

stopped by at Camp Horno [at Camp Pendleton] to wish you well just a

few days before deployment, we had an opportunity to also meet with

your executive officer Maj. Jason Bohm, Sgt. Maj. Rafael Ventura and

Chaplain Doran Kelvington. Rather than tell us how busy you really

were, all of you took the time to let us know how you feel about our

committee and the citizens of Newport Beach.

I must say that visiting Horno was somewhat nostalgic for me. I

was last there in the ‘60s when I was an E-4 [Corporal] and a member

of the 7th Communications Battalion. If it were not for the little

“give a Marine a ride” ( that’s what we called it) shed on the

roadway, I don’t think I would have recognized the area, although the

mess hall that is coming down was a good landmark.

Without a doubt, the relationship that has been formed is quite

special, and from what I am finding out from others is that it is

also somewhat unique.

To that end, we are all looking forward to planning another Mess

Night for the latter part of 2005 and we expect all you to attend.

Before Sloat and I left Horno that day, Ventura made sure we each

left with a “1/1” Landing Team T-shirt. Not surprisingly, people are

now inquiring where they can buy one. I made sure they knew that they

could not even find one of these on Ebay. I wear it with pride.

The City Council recently selected me to serve as the mayor for

the city, and this term will be for the later part of 2004 and all of

2005.

It is an honor and a pleasure to serve again, as I was mayor when

we adopted the “1/1” in 2003. Speak Up Newport, or S.U.N., which is a

private organization with a goal to promote the city, and which is

made up of community leaders, sponsors the Mayor’s Dinner every year.

Next year, the dinner will be on Feb. 3 and usually the attendance is

450 to 500 people.

Speak Up Newport has informed me that General Timothy Donovan,

commanding general of Camp Pendleton, will be the guest speaker at

the dinner, and as mayor, this will indeed be a very proud moment for

me. Speak Up Newport will be inviting the “1/1” Key Volunteer Network

ladies as well as the individuals you designated as “Family Service

Officers” to attend as its guests, and they will be honored at that

event.

As an update to the “1/1” Committee fund, at the City Council

meeting to be held on Jan. 11, a presentation of a check will be made

by local law firm Rutan & Tucker. At that time, the fund amount will

be in excess of $60,000. As you know, the purpose of this fund is to

assist the families of the “1/1” as needs arise.

We all wish you Godspeed and look forward to your return. I made

special note when you had said to me “don’t be surprised if you see

the entire battalion marching in the Balboa Island Parade.”

You will be hearing from me as well as the Committee and the

community once you land and show them how it’s done over there.

Semper Fi.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was written by Newport Beach Mayor

Steve Bromberg to Lt. Col Dave Furness and the entire 1st Battalion

1st Marines [“1/1”]. Bromberg is the chairman of the “1/1” Adoption

Committee.