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Freedom Rings on 9/11 for Camp Pendleton Marines

On September 11, 2005, twenty-five members of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (1st Battalion, 1st Marines or 1/1) will receive Freedom Awards during a special ceremony at the Second Annual Coastline Car Classic to be held at Big Corona State Beach in the village of Corona Del Mar (Newport Beach).

As the event falls on 9/11, the organizers of Coastline Car Classic decided to include a patriotic flair to the days festivities by honoring members of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines for their dedication and service. Our city has a special and long-term relationship with 1/1 and it was reinforced when the residents of Newport Beach adopted the battalion in 2003. It made sense for us to celebrate and honor our Marines on 9/11, noted Bernie Svalstad, Event Chair.

1/1 was activated in March 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and since then has had a distinguished history of service. 1/1 recently returned from deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, after rendering post-tsunami humanitarian relief in addition to also serving in Iraq.