Citizens Show Young Servicemen Some Cerritos Hospitality

Cr-a-a-a-a-ck!

Fifteen pounds of urethane come speeding into skinny, white, wooden targets giving the most satisfying sound known to man since sizzling bacon. The buzz of friendly but competitive chatter mixing with the scent of Budweiser, nachos and pizza almost makes you feel at home. And sometimes almost is good enough.

The 1st Combat Engineer Battalion Adoption Committee gathered on March 19 to treat the First Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Marine Corps to a weekend afternoon of bowling, grub and Cerritos hospitality at the . Sgt. Alex Renner and his fellow Camp Pendleton marines were able to see – some for the first time – the people who “adopted” them and sent them care packages while serving overseas.

“It’s really nice to see everyone supporting us,” Renner, a Southern Illinois native, said. “They’re all having a good time. They can get a little time off from work.”

According to the sergeant, 14 marines, ranging from ages 18 to 22, were able to enjoy the friendly competition and camaraderie that day during the 2nd Annual OK Corral Bowl-a-Thon.

Lance Cpl. Mike Adams looks forward to these events as a way to meet new people. 

“It’s nice to meet the people that are helping us out,” he said.

To some marines, like Pfc. Rigoberto Ramirez, gatherings like the Bowl-a-Thon provide a great morale boost.

“It’s a good thing what they’re doing,” Ramirez said.”These veterans are supporting us.”

Officially adopting the CEB on Veterans Day of 2007, the all-volunteer, non-profit Adoption Committee has been sending care packages three times a year to marines in the CEB serving in Afghanistan and Iraq – including about 5,000 pounds of food as well as socks donated by local middle schools in what's called the Sock It To Me program.

Ex-marine 2nd Lt. Charles Sooter, with help from fellow marine Tim Sloat (who served with Soot), was actually offered the opportunity by the City of Cerritos to adopt the CEB.  Other notable Cerritos residents involved with the committee’s inception were ex-mayor Paul Bowlen and assistant city manager Kathy Matsumoto.

“I’m glad everything worked out,” Sooter said proudly. “It exceeded my expectations.”

Cerritos and other local businesses have also contributed to the success of the Adoption Committee’s events. According to committee member Joanne Witt, local businesses like Sam’s Club and Golf N’ Stuff donated gift certificates as raffle prizes, while recent Cerritos City Council candidate, Grace Hu, sponsored a lane.

“It’s just a wonderful way to support these brave young guys,” Witt said. “This organization is wonderful.”

The last pin-fall didn't mark the end the day for the marines. The 1st CEB took the soldiers on a tour of the  and dinner at  Lew Woodson, a board director for the committee, describes he and his friends as "just a group of people from Cerritos" sending boxes of goodies to the soldiers.

"For the price they are paying to defend us, I wish they could all have this support," Woodson said.

Residents of all cities are welcomed to contribute to the CEB by writing letters, sending care packages, helping plan events or donating money. For more information, please contact current committee president, Dorothy Owen, at (562) 926-1092 or (714) 801-7965, and/or Chuck Sooter at (562) 860-8174.