San Clemente Plans a Statue to Show Its Appreciation to Marine Corps

San Clemente residents have launched plans to honor leathernecks based at Camp Pendleton with a seaside statue, a civic tribute that many think is long overdue.

The relationship between the Marine Corps and the city goes back six decades; many active-duty and retired Marines live in San Clemente. Others visit the city regularly, attend its churches, visit the schools and participate in civic organizations.

And through the years, there have been countless City Council resolutions, parades and cookouts thanking the Marines for their dedication and sacrifice.

But, “we have not honored them with a permanent reminder of our respect and appreciation,” City Councilman Wayne Eggleston said. So he wants to do that with the statue.

A bronze statue, he says. Slightly larger than life. On a pedestal, down at the pier.

“This is not a memorial” for dead troops, said Eggleston. “It’s a monument honoring the Marine Corps.” He also noted that although the statue will be on city property, this is a private endeavor. A campaign to raise $100,000 is underway.

Eggleston said he got the idea while visiting such Washington monuments as the Marine Corps War Memorial, which depicts the raising of the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima. “I thought San Clemente should be doing something to pay respect to the Marine Corps -- our neighbors, friends and community leaders,” he said.

As director of the nonprofit Heritage of San Clemente Foundation, Eggleston and his colleagues distributed a questionnaire to 1,000 residents at Memorial Day and July 4 ceremonies this year, asking what the statue should look like.

The overwhelming choice for the look of the statue was a Marine in dress blues saluting.

The depiction of a Marine in combat, Eggleston said, could be confused with an Army soldier.

The dress blues also include the high collar, once made of leather, hence the term “leathernecks,” helping to further distinguish the Marine portrayed, Eggleston said.

Then it was time to choose a Marine whose likeness would be used for the statue. Eggleston’s friend, Warrant Officer Alex Heberlein, said he knew the perfect model: Sgt. Rob Elliott, whose 6-foot-3 frame would appear striking in bronze.

Elliott, 25, of Buffalo, Okla., said he’s still getting over the shock of his likeness appearing in bronze. He avoids what he calls the “m” word because of the ribbing he gets from comrades.

The foundation has mailed brochures to 9,000 San Clemente households soliciting donations to raise money. Contributions can be made through www.marinemonument.com. Eggleston said he hopes the statue can be installed during the 230th anniversary of the Marine Corps in 2005.