Reinforcing Marine Families

If anything, Leah Grace has learned that as a Marine wife, you learn to cope.

Her husband, Sgt. Revell Grace, spent nine months in Kuwait and Iraq and returned to Camp Pendleton only two months ago.

Now, she said, “He’s going back.” He is scheduled to be shipped out again in two weeks.

The young couple waited in line Saturday for a Christmas party to begin, she a study in anxiety, her husband holding their 14-month-old son, Dante, offering him a snug harbor from a chilly ocean breeze at Camp Pendleton.

The only words offered by the burly Marine was, “I just want to hold my son.”

The couple joined more than 300 Marine families who shared holiday cheer with food, children’s Christmas gifts and a visit from Santa, provided by Friends of San Onofre Marines, a new nonprofit group formed by retired Marine Lt. Col. William McReynolds, 84, and his wife, Sidonia.

For months, the McReynolds of San Clemente and a group of mostly civilian volunteers sought donations and gifts from churches, friends, businesses and others to organize a Christmas party to show appreciation for the military and offer support for Marine families living at the base’s northern end.

Many members of Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Division, “First of the First,” live at San Onofre base housing. Just months ago, these Marines were fighting in Iraq. On Saturday, they held hands with wives, hummed carols and snapped photographs of sons and daughters meeting Santa Claus, some for the first time.

McReynolds said he and his wife recognized that when the troops left for Kuwait and ultimately Iraq, wives left at home would be in need of help supporting their households. “This is the military,” Sidonia McReynolds said, “and many of them are living just above the poverty line, all trying to stretch their household income.”

So the McReynolds formed Friends of San Onofre Marines, cajoling anyone they met for support. “We bought baby food, diapers and clothes, the essentials, because we felt we needed to cover that gap until the next paycheck came,” she said.

On sprawling Camp Pendleton, one of the nation’s largest military bases, a majority of the Marines based there live and work at Pendleton’s southern area near Oceanside almost 20 miles from San Onofre.

So the San Onofre families are isolated.

McReynolds’ wife said Saturday’s party was one of the first to include free Christmas gifts, free clothing and food for San Onofre Marine families

For Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nancy Arroyoavila, sharing the spirit of the holidays was a treat for her and her family.

“I’ve spent 19 years in the Corps and this is the first duty center I’ve been in where the community does so much,” said Arroyoavila, who recently joined Friends of San Onofre Marines’ board of directors.

The group also decorated a community center and gave balloons and candy to the children while having a luncheon for Marine families.

“This is just incredible,” Arroyoavila said.

Clayton Burch, 4, arrived with sisters Natalie, 6, and Lydia, 9, and their father, Staff Sgt. Chris Burch, who is part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. On the ride over, the sergeant had his hands full with Clayton, who couldn’t sit still after hearing that he was going to get a Christmas gift.

“I want a Batman or Robin!” said the boy, his blue eyes wide as saucers.

“He’s been asking for any kind of superhero this year,” Burch said.

Natalie had her sights on a Care Bear or Barbie, while Lydia, wanted a PlayStation 2 or X-Box.

After rummaging through tables filled with boxed gifts, Clayton chose a toy Hulk, Natalie had her arms around Swan Lake Barbie, while Lydia opted for creativity with a drawing set.

The family held hands and walked out of the community center.