Open Arms

[SGRock]

Newport Beach Honors Marines
Marine Corps News | Kenneth G. Lewis | October 18, 2005


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - When Marine 1st Sgt. John S. Kob returned home from Iraq in June, his family was ready to receive him with open arms, but 140,000 arms could get exhausting.

Kob’s unit, 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment, was adopted by the city of Newport Beach in December 2003, after the unit’s first return from Iraq. Newport Beach’s residents have provided everything from care packages for deployed Marines to emergency funds for families visiting their wounded heroes in medical facilities across the globe.

The city's most recent gesture occurred Sept. 29 when they hosted a Mess Night - for 150 of the unit’s staff noncommissioned officers and officers as well as the honored guest, Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, commanding general for 1st Marine Division.

One of the evening’s special guests was 88-year-old Sgt. Maj. Joseph W. Dailey, United States Marine Corps (Ret.). Dailey, a Navy Cross and Silver Star recipient, was the 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1969 – 1973, retiring in 1973.

“It feels great to be around all these Marines,” said Dailey, who also served with 1st Bn., 1st Marines during World War II. Dailey, who resides in Newport Beach with his wife, attends all of the special events the Newport Beach community sponsors for 1st Bn., 1st Marines.
After all, like his fellow Newport Beach residents, he’s proud of the unit’s accomplishments and sacrifices.

“Marines are carrying on a great legacy in Iraq,” he said.
But Newport Beach’s gratuity for the Camp Pendleton-based Marine unit extends beyond a handful of mess nights and handshakes. Newport Beach’s residents have assisted the Marines in times of need, and have “helped with many difficult circumstances,” said Lt. Col. David J. Furness, the unit’s commanding officer.

“During our last deployment, we had a young corporal evacuated to Singapore with a life threatening illness,” said Furness. “(The Newport Beach residents) paid for the entire family to visit the Marine and stay until he was transferred back to the United States.”

“Marines sacrifice so much and when the American public receives you so well, it’s a great feeling,” said Kob, a Fort Collins, Co., native and the company first sergeant for Company A, 1st Bn., 1st Marines. “The city of Newport Beach has received us with warm and open arms.”
The Marines are often involved in community activities that allow the common citizen to interact with the Corps, said Furness.

Community members seized the opportunity to spend a little one on one time with the Marines, paying more than $200 per plate at the dinner.

“This event is being absorbed by both (the Marines and the community),” said Dick Kurth, Newport Beach’s assistant finance director, retired lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran. “The members genuinely care about these and all Marines.”

While the event was good for residents of Newport Beach, it was even better for the staff noncommissioned officers and officers of the battalion, said Furness, from Columbus, Ohio.

“These occasions build unit cohesion and camaraderie that helps sustain a unit during the tough times that lie ahead,” said Furness.
The unit is scheduled to return to Iraq in January 2006.

“The fact that this special event was arranged and funded by our fellow citizens makes it mean even more,” said Kurth. “It helps validate each Marine’s service to the nation as well as bringing our association with those we protect closer to our heart.”

[USMC Chuter]

That's a pretty cool story. I wouldn't expect a fairly affluent Southern California city like Newport Beach to show such support for the military. I'm glad to read it.

[SGRock]

It's good to see especially after spending so much time at Camp Swampy and being hated, except on payday, in Jacksonville, NC.

[SpongeJuan]

Why is that? Whenever you go to a military town they don't like you, but when you go back home they praise you.

[SGRock]

MOOLAH, Money, dinero, Plata, THE BIG BUCKS. During Desert Storm shop owners in J-ville were crying that they were losing their busineses. Hell! after the barracks got hit in Beirut 22 years ago, there was a furniture store that had a sae in honor of their deaths (the BLT). I hate those towns. WAIT A MINUTE! I live in one of those towns. Dern!

[SpongeJuan]

Wait, don't you got it the other way? If it was for the money then they would love us. But they don't. You know how much people like the military by the Cops. If a Cop pulls you over and sees your haircut, and your base sticker, and decides you let you off on a warning then most likely people will like you around that town. But if he gives you a 400 dollar ticket (hint hint) then there is probably a base near by.

[Grimmy]

They tend to dislike Soldiers most intensly who tend to see them most often.

In "libo towns" they see us with "our pants down" as in rowdy, rambunctious and in large numbers. We flood their drinking holes and steal their women folk.

It's all part of that old "familiarity breeds contempt" thing.

But you try closing a base and just watch the "sea change" in attitudes real fast.

[SpongeJuan]

Just like over here they thoguht about closing MCAS and taking MAG-31 back to Miramar. That was pretty funny.