Last Monday approximately 30 Rancho Santa Margarita community members met at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assemble care packages for RSM’s adopted Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton’s 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment) that is currently serving in Iraq.
Items specifically requested by the 2/5 were bar soap, razors, shampoo, chewing gum, hard candy, DVDs, air freshener, and phone cards. Over 1000 items were donated and $500 was raised between the April card-making drive and the May package assembly meeting.
I wrote a post a few weeks ago, Attention RSM Residents! The 2/5 Marines Need Our Help! I received a comment and subsequent email from a woman whose son belongs to the 2/5 and is currently in Iraq. She was touched that there were others out there supporting her son and the other 1000 members of the 2/5. She found RSM Lifestyles by accident while searching for information about the 2/5.
My heart went out to her being that it was so close to Mother’s Day. Her Mother’s Day would look much different than mine. She sent me a picture of her son and I include him in my prayers every night along with the rest of the 2/5. I hope I can be as courageous as this woman is when it is my son’s turn to go to the sand box.
I have the good fortune of having my son stationed nearby. I see him at least three weekends a month. The longest time I’ve gone without seeing him was when he was at Boot Camp. But Boot Camp was only an hour away. It felt more like he was at summer camp than training for the Marines.
Iraq is a far cry from summer camp and it’s a long way from home. For many of these young guys and gals its their first time out of the county. What a way to see the world. Dirty and gritty and warm. Not a lot of things to do during free time. Limited outgoing calls. Six months give or take of hell. The 2/5 is over there right now doing their duty and serving their county.
Thank you to each and every member of the 2/5 for proudly and bravely serving our country. I’d also like to give a special thank you to 2/5 family members who are currently on their own while their loved one is deployed.
If you have questions regarding Rancho Santa Margarita’s support of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment or would like to find out how you can become involved, please contact the 2/5 Adoption Committee at marines@cityofrsm.org or call Megan Walz at City Hall (949) 635-1800.
