jan - feb 2011
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
Marines Join MBSR for the 19th Annual Golf Tournament by Terry Rifken & Neil Burns
MBSR held its 19th annual Children’s Charities Golf Tournament January 12 at San Juan Hills Golf Club. New to the event this year was the addition of 32 Marines from the Corps’ most highly decorated 5th Regiment. The Marines, sponsored either by their civilian host or by the donations of MBSR’s family of supporters, enjoyed meeting their sponsors while they drove, chipped, and putted on a beautiful, warm day shortly before deploying to colder climes. In all, 87 golfers competed for awards, all for the benefit of fine children’s organizations in the community. A static display of two Humvees and a Marine Guard on the grass outside the registration area greeted golfers upon their arrival at the course. The Marines had landed! Some of the Marines were new to the sport, including first timers who had never driven a golf cart, and seven Marines were each given a set of golf clubs by the Dana Point Support Group. Clearly, a generous community looked forward to the opportunity to thank Marines for their service. Colonel Willard Buhl, HQ Commander, made a special appearance, arriving as the golfers returned for lunch. He shook many hands and met many golfers, and in a poignant moment when old Air Force Vet and great MBSR supporter Robin Clark admired his USMC hat, the Colonel gave him the hat off his head! During the awards ceremony, Col. Buhl thanked MBSR for its special relationship, supporting the regiment with volunteers, hundreds of goodie boxes shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than $40K in donations. Col. Buhl presented President James Littlejohn with a Certificate of Appreciation with warm words of thanks and some history of the regiment dating from 1917 at Belleau Wood all the way to the present in Afghanistan. continued on page 2
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