05.09.19

PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS
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•GUEST OPINION•
BY WILLIAM PAPARIAN
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
PASADENA REMAINS FAITHFUL TO THE MARINE CORPS
It’s the best kept secret in Pasadena. A reserve battalion of
Marine Corps infantry is based in Pasadena on city–owned land
adjacent to Victory Park. In their civilian life many of them are
first responders including police officers, deputy sheriffs and
firefighters. Last year they were called to active duty and during
their deployment conducted bilateral and unilateral training
exercises that spanned across four countries in the Indo-Pacific
Area including Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines.
The 2d Battalion 23d Marine Regiment was activated in
July 1942 and participated in the World War II campaigns of
Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Of the Marines who
seized Iwo Jima it was said that “Uncommon valor was a
common virtue.”
Since World War II our Pasadena citizen-marines have been
mobilized many times: Operation Desert Shield and Desert
Storm; twice during Operation Enduring Freedom; and twice
during Operation Iraqi Freedom during which they participated
in the capture of Baghdad. Recently they were recognized as the
best battalion in the entire Fourth Marine Division.
Many of them live and work in the local area. They provide
their services for color guards, military funeral honors, and
participate in the Toys for Tots program over the holidays. In
case of a natural disaster or emergency the 2d Battalion 23d
Marine Regiment can augment Pasadena’s resources for both
planning and response. Six years ago our citizen-marines
became the adopted sons and daughters of Pasadena when the
City Council, joining a movement that has paired cities with US
military units since the 1960s, formally adopted the 2d Battalion
23d Marine Regiment.
In his inaugural address, President Kennedy said: “Ask not
what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your
country.” In placing service over self our citizen-marines have
answered that question and in so doing are an example for all
of us and a reminder of our obligations as Americans to our
country. The measure of our worth is not fame or fortune but
rather what we give back to our nation and our community.
Prepared and professional, they stand ready to answer our
nation’s call both at home and abroad.
On May 3, they returned home from their deployment to
Pasadena. A welcome home ceremony was held in front of City
Hall. But instead of coming home to Pasadena they could have
been coming home to March Air Force Base in Riverside. That
almost happened 25 years ago.
The Defense Department was closing down bases all over
the country and consolidating and merging military units and
operations. In Pasadena, the Marine Corps Reserve had based
for many years the Fourth Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion,
a stinger missile battery. The building that housed the battalion
was old and dilapidated. Their commanding officer came to City
Hall, with orders for the relocation of the battalion to March
Air Force Base in hand, to see if the city of Pasadena could do
anything to keep his troops in Pasadena. We agreed to accept
the mission.
The first thing we did was to order a feasibility study. We
determined that it would cost almost $7 million to build a
new facility. We also made sure that the design would be of
the highest quality and in a style in keeping with Pasadena
traditions. We made the first
of what would prove to be
many trips to Washington,
DC to lobby for the funding.
We went to Marine Corps
Headquarters and were
told that the $7 million
represented their entire
annual construction budget.
They told us that they had
never had a city come to them
to lobby to keep a reserve unit
in their city. We convinced
them to add it to their budget.
Congress was convinced to
add the project to the military
appropriations bill and it was
approved. And then President
Clinton in the first exercise
of the presidential line item
veto removed it. We went
back to Congress and got the
two-thirds majority needed to
override the presidential veto.
Pasadena accomplished
the mission. That’s why our
citizen-marines are returning
to this city. Just as they have
remained always faithful
to America, Pasadena has
remained always faithful to
them.
Attorney William Paparian is a
former mayor of Pasadena and a
Marine Corps veteran.
05.09.19 | PASADENA WEEKLY 5