For the third time in two-and-a-half years the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Armed Services Committee hosted its Patriotic Rally: BBQ and Car Show at the Marine Corps School of Infantry West (SOI) located at Camp Pendleton.
SOI, which is located at the north end of Camp Pendleton and reports to Quantico, Va., is a training division of the Marine Corps where young Marines go to learn advanced infantry skills. Due to the intense nine-week training schedule, these Marines work Monday through Saturday and are not permitted to leave the base.
Led in part by Dave Krohn of Chef DK Catering and chamber president and CEO, Ted Owen, a small but determined group of 10 chamber volunteers cooked more than 4,000 hamburgers donated by Catalina Restaurant Group, Inc., which is known for Carrows and Coco's restaurants, for the Marines who also enjoyed chips donated by Dr. Don Seivert and Coca-Cola products donated by Albertson's of La Costa and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of San Diego.
Additional volunteers, led in part by Crystal Babowal (Covert) of the Museum of Making Music and Dr. John Fitzpatrick, a local eye doctor, welcomed the Marines, served up the burgers and handed out prizes while a disc jockey service played music from every era. The Marines answered trivia questions and performed a variety of athletic feats to win backpacks along with other sporting items donated by K2, Inc., DigitQ MP3 players, universal tools, Powerade products and many more prizes. Each Marine received a 100-minute calling card courtesy of AT&T.
The event would not have been as big of a success without the 80 classic cars displayed during the festivities. Each car that signed up to participate donated $25 to Operation Clear Vision, a local charity that gives prescription eye wear to military dependents. Marines voted for their six favorite cars and the winners received patriotic trophies courtesy of Mike Miller, the owner of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air. Three 1969 Camaro's were awarded trophies, including the Commandant's Award for best in show.
This year's event had a special visit from Major General Michael Lehnert, Commanding General Marine Corps Installation West.
When asked about the event Lehnert said, “The troops had a great time and told me so many times. Carlsbad sent a strong message of support to our young warriors and they heard it loud and clear. You made a great memory for hundreds of young men, reminded them that our nation truly cares and introduced your volunteers to some of the finest young men this nation can produce.”
This event would not be possible if it was not for the generous support from CoCo's Bakery Restaurant, Carrow's Restaurant, AT&T, Comerica Bank, Supervisor Bill Horn, K2, Inc., Tri-west Healthcare Alliance, Coca-Cola, Poseidon Resources Corp., Indus Technology, Inc., Morrow Development, Inc., Olympic Resort Hotel & Spa, RAM Enterprises International, DigitQ, Invitrogen, Toyota Carlsbad, El Camino Rentals, MTI Marketing, Albertson's La Costa, Alphagraphics and Chef DK Catering.
“Pass on my thanks to the many event sponsors and the volunteers from the chamber. A day just doesn't get any better than that,” Lehnert added.
The 4th Annual event has been slated for September or October of 2008. If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or volunteer, please contact Michael Babowal at (760) 931-8400 ext. 108 or [email protected] for more information.
SOI, which is located at the north end of Camp Pendleton and reports to Quantico, Va., is a training division of the Marine Corps where young Marines go to learn advanced infantry skills. Due to the intense nine-week training schedule, these Marines work Monday through Saturday and are not permitted to leave the base.
Led in part by Dave Krohn of Chef DK Catering and chamber president and CEO, Ted Owen, a small but determined group of 10 chamber volunteers cooked more than 4,000 hamburgers donated by Catalina Restaurant Group, Inc., which is known for Carrows and Coco's restaurants, for the Marines who also enjoyed chips donated by Dr. Don Seivert and Coca-Cola products donated by Albertson's of La Costa and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of San Diego.
Additional volunteers, led in part by Crystal Babowal (Covert) of the Museum of Making Music and Dr. John Fitzpatrick, a local eye doctor, welcomed the Marines, served up the burgers and handed out prizes while a disc jockey service played music from every era. The Marines answered trivia questions and performed a variety of athletic feats to win backpacks along with other sporting items donated by K2, Inc., DigitQ MP3 players, universal tools, Powerade products and many more prizes. Each Marine received a 100-minute calling card courtesy of AT&T.
The event would not have been as big of a success without the 80 classic cars displayed during the festivities. Each car that signed up to participate donated $25 to Operation Clear Vision, a local charity that gives prescription eye wear to military dependents. Marines voted for their six favorite cars and the winners received patriotic trophies courtesy of Mike Miller, the owner of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air. Three 1969 Camaro's were awarded trophies, including the Commandant's Award for best in show.
This year's event had a special visit from Major General Michael Lehnert, Commanding General Marine Corps Installation West.
When asked about the event Lehnert said, “The troops had a great time and told me so many times. Carlsbad sent a strong message of support to our young warriors and they heard it loud and clear. You made a great memory for hundreds of young men, reminded them that our nation truly cares and introduced your volunteers to some of the finest young men this nation can produce.”
This event would not be possible if it was not for the generous support from CoCo's Bakery Restaurant, Carrow's Restaurant, AT&T, Comerica Bank, Supervisor Bill Horn, K2, Inc., Tri-west Healthcare Alliance, Coca-Cola, Poseidon Resources Corp., Indus Technology, Inc., Morrow Development, Inc., Olympic Resort Hotel & Spa, RAM Enterprises International, DigitQ, Invitrogen, Toyota Carlsbad, El Camino Rentals, MTI Marketing, Albertson's La Costa, Alphagraphics and Chef DK Catering.
“Pass on my thanks to the many event sponsors and the volunteers from the chamber. A day just doesn't get any better than that,” Lehnert added.
The 4th Annual event has been slated for September or October of 2008. If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or volunteer, please contact Michael Babowal at (760) 931-8400 ext. 108 or [email protected] for more information.