Close to Return, 2/4 Marines Plan Car Wash, Trip

The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines will have a car wash Jan. 28 to raise money for the unit's April gala in Las Vegas.

The car wash will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the San Clemente Wal-Mart parking lot.

The 2/4 "Magnificent Bastards" is one of the city's adopted Marine units. Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Hanson of the 2/4 thanked San Clemente City Council and the town's residents and service organizations Tuesday for the overwhelming amount of support, mail and care package items.

"They had to build another building to house all the stuff that was sent," Hanson said of the Marines in the field in Afghanistan. They are nearing the end of their tour of duty overseas.

He reported that the unit had kicked the Taliban out of the province they had occupied. The mission consists of working with Afghan security forces to clear the Taliban from villages and coordinate protection with the local elders, according to the Department of Defense.

Read more military accouts here on the exploits of the 2/4.

Along with the car wash, the 2/4 is holding a bake sale the day of the car wash. Past 2/4 bake sales have brought it $2,900, according to the 2/4 Facebook page.

"As Marines are constantly looking for a few good men to serve, we are always looking for a few good bakers," the Facebook page states. If you are interested in helping out with the bake sale, please contact Stephanie Griswold at EchoAFRA24@gmail.com.

Hanson said the unit was raising money for the Las Vegas gala to give the 2/4 Marines time to continue their camaraderie outside of hostile oversees conditions; it'll be the last time they'll all be together, he said.

"This event is well deserved for Marines/Sailors, spouses and family members who have endured this deployment," the Facebook page states.

Six-hundred rooms at Mandalay Bay are reserved for April 19;  775 rooms for April 20.  The cutoff date to RSVP for the Battalion Gala is Jan. 30.