MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- HUNTINGTON BEACH - The latest infantry unit to be taken under an Orange County town's wing could use a little pampering, after seven rough months deployed to Iraq, including a primary role in the battle of Fallujah last November.
The city of Huntington Beach obliged April 22, treating Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment to a night out on the town to underscore its adoptive-parent role. The Marines dined at the city's Hyatt Regency. More than 1,400 Marines and civilians attended.
A dining-in ceremony is a variation on a traditional "Mess Night." Marines and sailors can bring their significant others; mess nights require they come stag.
"This shows that anybody, no matter how rich or poor, is willing to reach out and take care of us," said Pfc. Christopher M. Neumann, a mortarman with Weapons Platoon, Company L. "They are willing to support what we do as Marines."
The battalion's commanding officer agreed with his young Marine.
"The support from the city of Huntington Beach is overwhelming," Lt. Col. Willy A. Buhl said. "In 23 years in the Marine Corps, I have never seen anything like this."
Buhl spoke highly of the men who serve under him.
"This battalion has been through hell," Buhl said. "There are a lot of men who are hurting, but there is not a tighter unit."
The night's guest of honor was Jesus R. Camarillo, a retired major who knows a little bit about battle. During his 18-year career in the Marine Corps, he earned a Silver Star Medal, three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star Medals with combat 'V's for valor.
Various city officials also were in attendance, including the mayor. A local congressman and state assemblyman also were on hand.
"I'm incredibly grateful that there are individuals who are willing to make that sacrifice and serve," Huntington Beach Mayor Jill Hardy said.
Their service "touches my heart," she added.
One of the battalion's original Marines, a veteran of the battle for Guadalcanal, also was on hand.
"This is a hell of a good bunch of guys," said Albert J. Worrick, 84, a former Marine sergeant. "I just wish I was young enough to start over (in the Corps)."
On the other side of the age spectrum, one of the unit's 400-plus injured or combat-wounded Marines, Lance Cpl. Kyle M. Hammons, said the night left him feeling appreciated.
Hammons, burned by a car bomb on Oct. 9, 2004, in Al Karma, Iraq, said his wounds put him out of action.
"When it initially happened, I thought I was going to die," he said. "I thought to myself, 'how could this happen?' I had thought that I was invincible.
"A night like tonight, it gives you a sense of pride," added Hammons, assistant machine gunner with Weapons Plt., Co. I. "It makes you feel really good."
The night included a meal of either a New York strip steak or chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta cheese, topped off with a creme brule cheesecake.
"What you see here tonight is the tip of the iceberg," said Tom Harman, assemblyman for the 67th District, one of the adoption's facilitators.
The city officially adopted the war-weary unit less than a month ago on a unanimous vote by the seven-member city council.
"The city of Huntington Beach is here for the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. You can take that to the bank," Harman said.
E-mail Lance Cpl. Redding at daniel.redding@usmc.mil.