MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- SAN CLEMENTE — Pen pals often meet one another for the first time after numerous letters have been sent back and forth. But, thanks to an enterprising community and a company commander's initiative, Marines from L Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment left for Iraq June 19 with a face and a personality in mind to match with letters they'll be receiving and reading half a world away.
The Marines met their pen pals via an "adoption" process June 14. Dozens of pen pals from Orange County came to the 3/1 grinder to shake hands with their departing adoptees and to wish them well.
To the Marines' pleasant surprise, there was no shortage of adoptive pen pals. By the time L Company had deployed, more than 400 families had stepped forward and agreed to keep a Marine company via the mail — enough so that now each Marine has two pen pals.
Georgene Fairbanks, a San Clemente resident, spearheaded the pen pal adoption. She put out the word through e-mail, social clubs, church groups and word of mouth all over Orange County.
"I've always wanted my own Marine," Fairbanks said.
Capt. Alexander J. Echeverria, commander of L Co., embraced the idea of a meeting beforehand for the unit's second deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I felt that the usual box of anonymous letters that we received in Iraq was great, but I wanted to take it a step further," he said. "This way the Marines know who is sending the letters, and likewise the families that send the letters have a special connection and feeling toward the Marines."
Fairbanks says she's still amazed at how her campaign has taken off.
"Originally, I wanted to just bake some cupcakes and give them to the Marines. Then my daughter introduced me to Soraya Echeverria, and she told me about her husband's rifle company. I had the idea to get a few people together and see if they wanted to write the Marines.
"I put out an e-mail and was flooded with responses. It's amazing that it grew into more than 300 families in two weeks," said Fairbanks, whose Army of letter writers — which had reached 500 by Monday — includes members of church groups, women's clubs and even the Newport Beach Police Department.
L Co. Marines, nicknamed the "Warriors," were eager to meet the people whose letters they'll be reading.
"It feels more personal to actually see the people that are writing to us," said Lance Cpl. Micah C. Wright, 20, of San Antonio.
It also means Marines can make specific requests for cookies, razors, pencils, lip balm or myriad other care package items.
"I think it's great, because it shows that people really care about us. I got to meet my sponsor. She's a great lady and I can't wait to get letters from her and write back," said Lance Cpl. Matt Hardin, 21, a native of Spearfish, S.D.
E-mail Cpl. Storm at stormrm@pendleton.usmc.mil.