MILITARY: Community news briefs for April 19

| Friday, April 18, 2008 6:23 PM PDT ∞

Historical society seeks members

CAMP PENDLETON ---- The newly formed Camp Pendleton Historical Society is looking for members to support its efforts to preserve the history of the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. Information: www. campendletonhistoricalsociety.org; or e-mail Howard Blair at hgblair@cox.net. Put CPHS in the subject line.

Marble shooters invited to enter tournament

ESCONDIDO ---- Chapter 472 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will host its first countywide Marble Tournament from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. All proceeds will go to Operation Homefront.

The tournament is open to marble shooters of all ages. All participants will receive a bag of marbles. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners in each age division. First- and second-place winners will go on to compete in a championship tournament July 5 at the San Diego County Fair. They also will receive free admission to the fair that day.

A processing fee of $3, plus a donation, is required to participate. Donations are ages 5-14, any donation; ages 15-29, $15; ages 30-59, $20; and ages 60 and older, $15.

Information and registration: George Prather, (760) 743-3622; or Don Levette, (619) 292-1667.

VFW collecting items

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook VFW post is collecting items for its Marines serving in Iraq. Items sought include cookies, candy, potato chips, toothpaste and toothbrushes barbershop-style scissors to cut their hair, soap and lip balm. Food cannot be shipped in glass containers. Drop donations off at the post at 1175 Old Stage Road. It opens at 11 a.m. Call (760) 728-1475.

Fleet reserve group to meet April 19

OCEANSIDE –– The Fleet Reserve Association Branch and Unit 313 Camp Pendleton will hold its regular business meeting at noon April 19 at the Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus. The Southwest Regional Officers will be present. All retired active-duty Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and their spouses are invited. Potluck lunch follows. Call (760) 439-7817.

Fallbrook seniors launching support program

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook Senior Center is launching a program called "Operation GI Joe," a title reminiscent of World War II, but designed to collect and send desired items to servicemen in Iraq or anywhere overseas. Items needed are: used or new baseballs and gloves, wrapped hard candy, canned nuts, ramen-noodle dried soups, chewing gum, sunscreen, beef jerky, hot sauce in plastic, microwave popcorn, playing cards, cough drops, lip balm, toilet articles put into plastic bags, and prepaid phone calling cards. Those who prefer can donate postage or money. Each box will cost $10 in postage, a reduction of $2 for packages going to servicemen.

All items may be dropped off at the Fallbrook Senior Center, 399 Heald Lane. Anyone who knows of a serviceman serving overseas or has someone from their family serving may submit names and addresses also. Call (760) 728-4498 or (760) 723-7469.

Veterans benefits workshop planned

OCEANSIDE ---- Aegis at Shadowridge will host a free workshop on veterans benefits at 6 p.m. April 22 at 1440 S. Melrose Drive. The workshop will be presented by Galen Maddy, a financial columnist and expert on the Veterans Aid and Attendance program and how it applies to assisted living. Reserve to (760) 806-3600.

Fashion show and luncheon planned

CAMP PENDLETON ---- The Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Heart Beat Auxiliary, supporting patients and wounded warriors, has planned a fashion show by Draper's and Damon's at the San Luis Rey Officers Club April 30. Social hour begins at 10:30 a.m. Donation is $40 per person. Reserve by April 23. Call (760) 439-5457 or (760) 729-5091.

Marine Corps Eagles meet for lunch

OCEANSIDE ---- The Marine Corps Eagles, a group of Marine Corps colonels, retired, reserve and active-duty, meet for lunch at 11:45 a.m. every third Thursday at the Hunter Steakhouse, 1221 Vista Way. Cost is $10, including tip. Call (760) 804-3927.

Military Order of the World Wars to meet

CAMP PENDLETON ---- The Joseph H. Pendleton Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will meet April 26 at the Camp Pendleton Golf Course Banquet room. Social hour starts at 11 a.m., lunch at noon. At 1 p.m., guest speaker will be Lt. Col. Richard Vogenitz. The meal will be from the buffet, consisting of beef stroganoff over noodles, vegetables, salad bar, rolls, tea or coffee. No-host bar. All active duty, retired, former officers, warrant officers and their guests are invited. Reserve to (760) 721-4503.

Golf tournament planned

MIRAMAR ---- The San Diego North Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its fourth annual Salute the Military golf tournament May 7 on the Miramar Memorial Golf Course, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Registration is at 7 a.m.; tee off is at 8 a.m. This tournament features threesomes from businesses, legislative and military communities ---- with one active member of the military to complete the foursome.

Players can win prizes for hole-in-one contest, longest drive or closest to the pin. Part of the proceeds will go to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Fund. Information: (858) 487-1767; e-mail events@sdncc.com.

Fallbrook VFW serves meals

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook VFW post serves meals several days a week. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 20. Cost is $6. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday. Cost is $4. Wednesday is pasta night, and this week's feature is cannelloni and antipasto salad. Cost is $5, and servings are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Specials are served on Fridays; the April 18 special will be "Philly Mick's" Cheesesteak sandwich and sundaes. Servings are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and cost is $8. The post is at 1175 Old Stage Road. Call (760) 728-8784.

Baby shower for expectant military moms planned

MONARCH BEACH ---- Operation Showers of Appreciation is giving a baby shower for 14 expectant military moms at 3 p.m. April 26 at South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway. Kimberly Felshaw, one of the organizers, said these families are based in and around the San Diego area where many fathers are either deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq and will not be home for the birth of their baby. Operation Showers of Appreciation organizes baby showers for expectant wives of military members who are away from their families and are in need of items to help take care of their babies. Items needed, she said, include monetary donations, gift cards from Babies R Us, Target, or Wal-Mart and/or other baby-related items. Contact Felshaw at (949) 547-7780 or operationshowersofappreciation@cox.net; or send gifts and donations to South Shores Church, attention: Debbie Green, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach, CA 92629.

Fallbrook chamber plans golf tournament

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce will have a golf tournament May 16 at Camp Pendleton on the Marine Memorial Golf Course. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. with shot-gun start at noon.

Format is a four-man scramble. The chamber team should consist of three players. Camp Pendleton will add the fourth player. All team members should be a member of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. The winning foursome will receive the Base Commander's trophy. Additional prizes are awarded to the second- and third-place teams.

Fee is $60 per player and includes green fees, cart rental, box lunch and prize. Deadline for sign-up is May 9. Mail entry forms to Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, 233 E. Mission Road, Suite A, Fallbrook, CA, 92028.

Waste Management joins teddy bear project

SAN DIEGO ---- Waste Management of San Diego has joined Heroes For Heroes as a contributor in giving IMA Hero Teddy Bears to the Armed Services YMCA at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and the Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton. "Waste Management of San Diego is continuously working to thank our local military for the many sacrifices they make everyday," said Melissa Perez, communications manager for Waste Management of San Diego, in a press release. Two projects hosted by Waste Management are Project Backpack and Toys for Little Troops. Project Backpack helps military children by providing school supplies in a backpack. The Toys for Little Troops Project collects unwrapped toys for children and teens at holiday time and donates them to local military families. More than 7,400 IMA Hero Teddy Bears have been distributed to the Armed Services YMCAs. Visit www.heroesforheroes.net; call (858) 453-5789; e-mail diane@heroesforheroes.net.

Electronics association to meet

CAMP PENDLETON ---- The Camp Pendleton/North County chapter of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association will hold its monthly meeting and luncheon at 11 a.m. April 23 in the Camp Pendleton South Mesa SNCO Club. Guest speaker is GS13 David L. Robbins, information assurance manager, Marine Corps Installations West. Lunch is $10, payable at the event. Reserve to MGySgt Stephen Davis at (760) 725-4385 or e-mail to stephen.m.davis@usmc.mil.