MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- For the second year in a row, more than enough North County families have stepped forward to host a Marine for a holiday meal - raising the possibility that some families who want to help out won't get to.

Program coordinators are encouraging all service members who don't want to be alone over the holidays to sign up.

"It's called Adopt-a-Marine, but all service members are welcome," said Katrina Robinson, an administrative assistant with the Armed Services YMCA, which started the program about 1975.

As of Monday morning, about 310 families had invited one or more Marines into their homes as part of the Adopt-a-Marine program. Meanwhile, the School of Infantry has topped out at about 1,100 Marines who will be away from home and are looking for a family to share Thanksgiving, Robinson said.

With a week remaining until Thanksgiving, the "Y" figures more families will volunteer. Moreover, many families who have signed up want to host as many Marines as they can.

"Some families like to have six or eight service members. They've done it for years and years, and they just want more," she said.

Last year, as part of the outpouring of patriotism nationwide after 9/11, about 930 families had volunteered to host 1,400 Marines.

For many Marines and sailors, the stress associated with plane tickets, travel arrangements, shopping and in-laws is a "luxury" they will not know this holiday season.

Most are away from home for the first time and find that additional time off can be very lonely.

The Adopt-a-Marine program was designed to help those service members escape the barracks over the holidays and beat the loneliness.

"The program is designed mainly for new Marines away from home for the holidays," said Marjorie A. Love, executive director at the "Y." "This is a lonely time for anyone away from home, and this gives Marines someplace to go."

Marines are bused from Camp Pendleton to Marty's Valley Inn in Oceanside on Thanksgiving morning. Marines mark time there until their "families" pick them up. Marty's eases the wait by providing a conference room with big-screen televisions and a continental breakfast.

Later in the day, Marines are treated to a banquet.

"The Marines love it. It gets them off base and into a home environment," Love said. "They are made to feel welcome with these families. Marines are known to have come home with extra food and even gifts."

Service members are picked up around 9 a.m. and returned to Marty's Valley Inn at 6 p.m.

The program targets Marines at the School of Infantry, because most are new to Camp Pendleton and won't be leaving the area for the holidays.

"Our program works mainly with SOI," Love said. "SOI really believes in this program. We have tremendous command support."

Interested families fill out a form and undergo casual screening before adopting a service member. They also must take a minimum of two Marines.

"The average is three to four Marines per family," Love said.

Most people who adopt Marines are civilians, which helps perpetuate the strong relationship between the base and local communities.

"This type of event really ties the civilian and military communities together. It really makes a difference. That's why it's lasted 26 years," Love said.
"The families enjoy having Marines home for the holidays; some families even keep in touch with their Marines.  Many of the same people call every year to Adopt-a-Marine."

Despite its name, the program doesn't bar other service members, Love emphasized.

"We don't discriminate. You just have to be an active-duty service member stationed on Camp Pendleton to take part in this," Love said.

To Adopt-a-Marine or be adopted, call the Armed Forces YMCA at 385-4921 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.