By Eric Heinz
After a lengthy deployment to northern Australia, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) was welcomed by the residents of San Clemente and various supporters.
About 500 Marines participated in the parade along with hundreds of other supporters in the mix. The parade was hosted by the city of San Clemente and facilitated in cooperation with the Heritage Foundation of San Clemente.
Hundreds, by estimate, of viewers attended the parade dressed in American-flag garb.
Vietnam War Veteran Rick Janovick was watching the parade with a relative Friday morning. He said this was his first time attending a military-themed parade. His daughter’s fiancee is part of the 2/4 and participated in the parade.
The parade concluded at Parque Del Mar with a brief ceremony at Park Semper Fi. The 2/4 is the city of San Clemente’s adopted Marine unit, which is stationed at Camp Pendleton.
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines parade down Avenida Victoria toward Park Semper Fi on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Parade attendees cheer for the returning 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on Friday, Nov. 9, on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Woodie cars led the parade before the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines walked down Avenida Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Woodie cars led the parade before the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines walked down Avenida Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Young children of Marines await their fathers at Parque Del Mar, where the parade concluded on Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines stand at-attention at the conclusion of a parade welcoming them back from Australia. Photo: Eric Heinz
Parade viewers were dressed in red, white and blue up and down Avenida Del Mar on Nov. 9 to welcome back the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Photo: Eric Heinz
Parade attendees cheer for the returning 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on Friday, Nov. 9, on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Rick Janovick, left, a Vietnam War veteran, and P.J. Janovicl, wait for the parade of Marines to start on Friday, Nov. 9, on Avenida Del Mar.
From left, Mayor Tim Brown and Councilmembers Kathy Ward and Steve Swartz lead the parade for the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on Nov. 9 on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Woodie cars and others led the parade before the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines walked down Avenida Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines parade down Avenida Del Mar toward Park Semper Fi on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
From left, Lindsey Gabaldon and her sons, Grant and Luke, await the parade of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on Nov. 9 on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Various military and Marine support organizations joined in the Nov. 9 parade on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Margaret Jaszlics, far right, holds a sign welcoming the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines back to the United States. Photo: Eric Heinz
Woodie cars and others led the parade before the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines walked down Avenida Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Parade viewers were dressed in red, white and blue up and down Avenida Del Mar on Nov. 9 to welcome back the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Photo: Eric Heinz
Parade viewers were dressed in red, white and blue up and down Avenida Del Mar on Nov. 9 to welcome back the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Photo: Eric Heinz
A sign that reads “Thank You, Veterans” outside a shop on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Various military and Marine support organizations joined in the Nov. 9 parade on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Woodie cars and others led the parade before the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines walked down Avenida Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines parade down Avenida Del Mar toward Park Semper Fi on Friday, Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
From left, Gunnar Van Cleave, Brent Eklofe, James Straw and John Wright wait for the Marine parade to get started on Nov. 9. Photo: Eric Heinz
San Clemente Police Chief Lt. Mike Peters applauds the return of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on Nov. 9 on Avenida Del Mar. Photo: Eric Heinz
Wayne Eggleston, the executive director of the Heritage of San Clemente Foundation, introduces guest speakers after the parade of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Photo: Eric Heinz
The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines stand at-attention at the conclusion of a parade welcoming them back from Australia. Photo: Eric Heinz