Dana Point Marine Supporters Seek Monument

A local Marine booster hopes to install a big slab of granite in Camp Pendleton's 5th Marine Regiment Memorial Garden commemorating the 68 members of the Regiment who died during the fight in Afghanistan.

"It's time to make our vision of this monument a reality," said Terry Rifkin, president of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

The group has been raising $55,000 to fabricate, transport and install the memorial. The cost would also include changing the angle of the existing, similarly designed monument to men and women killed in Iraq.

Pete Hammer, chairman of the support group, said cities like Dana Point and Laguna Hills, which have adopted Marine units, have pledged $5,000 toward the monument. He told the San Clemente City Council Tuesday the support group hopes to install the new monument in mid May and have a dedication ceremony in early June.

The San Clemente City Council, which has adopted the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on behalf of the city, agreed to agendize an item to support the memorial.

For more information, visit the support group's website.