HEMET, Calif. – Last year, the city of Hemet, Calif., officially adopted the Combat Center's 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion before they deployed to Iraq. In a gesture of friendship and goodwill, Hemet presented 3rd LAR's command with the key to the city April 6 at the Hemet mayor's office.Eric McBride, Hemet's mayor, received a coin from the unit as a token of the city's bond with the Marines, said Lt. Col. Ken Kassner, the battalion commanding officer, from Coupland, Texas.
"We were adopted by a city of great, patriotic Americans who supported us throughout our last deployment," Kassner said. "It all started because I was trying to build a strong relationship with the local community, and the mayor was looking to adopt, so it all went well."
Kassner said the battalion's link to the city aligns with their unit's credo.
"Our motto in 3rd LAR battalion is 'the strength of the pack is the wolf; the strength of the wolf is the pack,'" he said. "We are a stronger organization for being members of the Hemet community."
The community kept their pledge of adoption and supported the battalion while they were overseas.
"They sent us a lot of care packages, and especially an abundance of coffee," Kassner said. "We, along with all the Marines, are very thankful for what the people of Hemet have done for us."
McBride said his experiences during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 helped him understand what deployed troops need and cemented his desire to help the unit.
"When I was there, it was a little different. People sent us a lot of perishable stuff, but hopefully we took care of the Marines better," McBride said, jokingly. "We'll certainly be supporting the battalion in their future deployments. We just hope we can keep the Marines' morale up by sending the care packages."
Brian Nakamura, the city manager, spoke for the people of Hemet by complimenting all service members and wishing them his best.
"Doing this for the Marines is a tremendous opportunity to show thanks for those in the service, especially the Wolfpack," Nakamura said. "All of us here certainly wish we could do more.
"The key we gave them is a symbol of the full access the service members have to the city," he added. "We're all truly appreciative to those who serve their country."
The battalion is scheduled to deploy again later this year, and the city of Hemet has pledged their conviction and continued support to 3rd LAR.
Kassner said the battalion's link to the city aligns with their unit's credo.
"Our motto in 3rd LAR battalion is 'the strength of the pack is the wolf; the strength of the wolf is the pack,'" he said. "We are a stronger organization for being members of the Hemet community."
The community kept their pledge of adoption and supported the battalion while they were overseas.
"They sent us a lot of care packages, and especially an abundance of coffee," Kassner said. "We, along with all the Marines, are very thankful for what the people of Hemet have done for us."
McBride said his experiences during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 helped him understand what deployed troops need and cemented his desire to help the unit.
"When I was there, it was a little different. People sent us a lot of perishable stuff, but hopefully we took care of the Marines better," McBride said, jokingly. "We'll certainly be supporting the battalion in their future deployments. We just hope we can keep the Marines' morale up by sending the care packages."
Brian Nakamura, the city manager, spoke for the people of Hemet by complimenting all service members and wishing them his best.
"Doing this for the Marines is a tremendous opportunity to show thanks for those in the service, especially the Wolfpack," Nakamura said. "All of us here certainly wish we could do more.
"The key we gave them is a symbol of the full access the service members have to the city," he added. "We're all truly appreciative to those who serve their country."
The battalion is scheduled to deploy again later this year, and the city of Hemet has pledged their conviction and continued support to 3rd LAR.
-------------------------------- I know, I was saying the same thing...where the hell is Hement, Ca. Reminds me of a sign I used to see in Vietnam. Ok, any town, city that adopts an LAR has to be ID'ed to the ninth degree. I am abashed to admit, despite my 26 years in CA. I had no idea, myself. Hemet (wiki)Hemet is a city in Riverside County, located in the San Jacinto Valley and it covers a total area of 27.1 square miles (70 km2), or about half of the valley, which it shares with its neighbor to the north, the city of San Jacinto. In 2007 the city's population was estimated to be 74,185 according to the California Department of Finance[1]. Hemet was founded in 1887, predating the formation of Riverside County, and was incorporated on January 20, 1910.[2] The formation of Lake Hemet helped the city prosper, and allowed further agricultural growth in the area, as well as population growth. The city is probably best known for being the home of "Ramona", California's official and one of the longest running outdoor plays, having been started in 1923. Hemet has also been named a Tree City USA for 20 years by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to the local forest.[3] The city is also home to the Hemet Valley Medical Center, a 320 bed general hospital.[4]
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