Marine Families Are Stars of Party Featuring Cast of TV’s ‘Major Dad’ : Morale: More than 3,500 attend bash at hangar and mingle with actors. The show has become a big hit among dependents.

Every Monday night at 8:30, Ginny Barnett tunes her television to “Major Dad” in order to catch her favorite stars in action.

On Saturday, Barnett and more than 3,500 family members of Marines deployed overseas got to see their TV heroes in person during a belated Valentine’s Day bash deemed “Operation Sweetheart.”

In a warehouse-sized hangar turned party room, fans buzzed with excitement over being so near their favorite celebrities.

“She’s my hero, she’s great,” Barnett of Huntington Beach said when actress Beverly Archer (who plays the character Gunny) sat down to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. “Their being here shows that it doesn’t matter if you think the war is right or wrong. Our guys are over there and need support.”

The event, held at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, was sponsored by the Marine Corps in conjunction with several Orange County businesses and community members. Organizers said the celebration was to show the loved ones of deployed Marines they are not forgotten. Everything for the party--from the food to the $2,500 sound system--was donated, they said.

Maj. John Sayre, one of the event organizers, said the party provided a much-needed morale boost not only for the families of servicemen and women overseas, but for the Marines as well.

“One of the major concerns of a serviceman is that his family is being taken care of,” he said. “They really miss the sounds of their wives and children.”

Operation Sweetheart sends a message to the troops that their families are being cared for, Sayre said, adding that videotapes of the event will be mailed overseas so the troops can see for themselves.

Most of the “Major Dad” enthusiasts--when not scampering from one star to another for autographs or pictures--mingled among themselves. They munched on free cookies, ice cream, candy and chips, while a jazz band made up of musicians from several Orange County groups provided nonstop music.

Many were eagerly awaiting the day’s showstoppers--Gerald McRaney, the star of “Major Dad,” and his wife, Delta Burke, who is on “Designing Women.” The couple showed up nearly 2 1/2 hours later than the rest of the cast, but fans seemed unperturbed.

In fact, many of the Marine Corps families said they were grateful that so many members of the hit show turned out.

“It was really great,” said Beverly Scanio, 24, of El Toro. “It’s good support that brings us together and helps us pass the time so we don’t think about (the war) as much.”

Actress Shanna Reed, who plays Polly Cooper on the show, said cast members were eager to participate.

“We’re here today because of them,” she said. “It’s part of our contribution.”

Indeed, since Operation Desert Shield began in August, “Major Dad” has become increasingly popular among military personnel and their families. The show is about a Marine Corps officer who is married to a writer with several daughters. Young and old alike said the show and its cast are a bright spot in dark times.

“ ‘Major Dad’ is special to the military and he’s special to the Marine Corps,” Sayre said.

Actor Jon Cypher (Brig. Gen. Marcus Craig in the show) said the enthusiasm shown by the fans was sobering.

“I’m happy to be here and not just be a fantasy of the show, but actually touch the lives of the people we only pretend to be,” he said.

For Debbie Noonan, 31, the celebration helped alleviate some of the worry and sadness of being left alone with her 7-week-old daughter. She praised the cast of “Major Dad.”

“For the Marines, the show ‘Major Dad’ means a lot to us,” she said. “They’re giving back to the great community that has helped make their show a success. We’re glad to have them.”