By Jim Shilander
The city of San Clemente, the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and a number of local businesses threw a farewell barbecue for the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, the city’s adopted unit, Saturday.
The unit’s commander, Lt. Col. Rob Weiler, said the unit will be posted to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and stationed on ship in the Pacific for several months, beginning later this spring.
Weiler said events like the barbecue provide an important opportunity for Marines to enjoy a day of camaraderie with their families and for Marine families to see each other and exchange information.
“It’s also an opportunity to celebrate with the people of San Clemente and get to tell them how grateful we are for the support,” Weiler said.
Rod Rodriguez, who helped plan the event, said his own experience in the Marine Corps, in the Vietnam-era, taught him the importance of the community supporting a unit.
“They’ve done so much for us, but so do their wives and their families,” Rodriguez said. “I have a lot of friends in San Clemente. They know I’ve been doing this for a long time. They just ask me where and when. Look at all the people who’ve turned out.”
Mayor Bob Baker said the citizens of San Clemente “should thank him (Rodriguez) every time they see him, for all that he does for this city.”
Chamber CEO Lynn Wood thanked the numerous volunteers and businesses who helped make the event a success.
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