NEWSPORT BEACH, Calif. -- It was a night of cheers and camaraderie for members of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
Marines from the battalion gathered at a mess night hosted by Newport Beach, their adoptive city, as they prepare to leave in December in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
City officials and citizens weighed in with more than $10,000 to cover family emergencies while the Marines are away defending the country in its latest gesture of commitment to the battalion, which was anchored by an appearance by actor Jon Voight. The citizens gave the money by attending a mess night especially for the battalion Oct. 26 at the Balboa Bay Club.
About 300 citizens and city officials joined about 150 Marines from the battalion for the get-together. Civilians paid $200 apiece to attend the mess night, and kicked in other fees to amass the $10,000 total, city officials said.
The mess night kicked off the Newport Beach Adoption Committee's fund to support battalion family members during the deployment, said Marilee Jackson, the city's public information officer.
Voight explained why he stopped by.
"This is a very important time," said Voight, 65, from Yonkers, N.Y. "I'm very grateful to ... the guys and gals going over. I know I speak for millions of people around the world that we are very grateful for them protecting our country and our freedoms."
Voight sat with a handful of Marines at the rear of the hotel's banquet room, but declined to eat or drink, he was Ôfasting', during a meal of roast beef, baked potatoes and Caesar salad, finished off with a French dessert.
The city officially adopted the regiment in December 2003, said Timothy J. Sloat, of Laguna Beach, formerly a Marine Corps captain with the battalion during the Vietnam War and a member of the adoption committee.
"It is a hard-working, hard-charging committee, who worked tirelessly to make this happen," said Steve Bromberg, the city's Mayor Pro Tem. "The committee will continue on with other events and efforts for the Marine families when they are deployed."
The proceeds, derived from mess night admission tickets purchased by civilians in attendance, underscores that helping not only the Marines but their families is "what we want to be there for," Jackson said.
The city has set up a phone line, (949) 644-3202, for families to call if a need arises, Jackson said.
"This is a great opportunity for a city to take an active part in the relationship between civilians and the military community," said Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Donovan, Camp Pendleton's commanding general, who was the guest of honor.
Members of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment appreciate the committee's support and its reflection of the city's love for the Marines, said Maj. Jason Q. Bohm, the battalion's executive officer.
"Once we are on deployment and we are not available to help our family members, and a crisis does occur, it is going to become readily available just how much this community has joined our Marine Corps family," said Bohm, 36, from Cook, Ill. "We understand all the hard work and effort that went into this."
A mixture of serious traditions and light-hearted fun, a mess night brings special guests and military leaders together to honor not only the Marines and their fallen comrades, but also the country as a whole.
"A mess night affords us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to God, country and Corps," Bohm said.
In this case, it was a chance for a city to reaffirm its commitment to and fondness for its adopted sons.
"Wherever they go in the world, old Marines and new Marines of the battalion, they know that they have an adopted home," said 1st Sgt. Donald L. Jones II, 42, of Comanche, Okla. "If they are not welcomed any other place in the world, they will always be welcome in Newport Beach."
E-mail Lance Cpl. Redding at daniel.redding@usmc.mil.