The 1st Battalion, 5th Marnes returned to Camp San Mateo at Camp Pendleton on June 2, 2008, from a seven month floating tour of the Western Pacific and the Middle East, including Guam, Saipan, Australia, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa. 

Months before their return the 1/5 Key Volunteer Coordinator, Cindy Burlingame, wife of Master Gunnery Sergeat Brian Burlingame, Amy O'Dell, wife of Lieutenant Ron O'Dell, USN the 1/5 Chaplain, and Key Volunteer Representitives were planning a special 'Welcome Home' for single enlisted Marines.  Contributions were received from numerous sources including Marine parents, individual 1/5 Veterans, 1/5 Vietnam Veterans Unit of the 1st Marine Division Association , and the Los Angeles Pipe Fitters Union.

The following photos illustrate the outpouring of generosity and good will toward our Marines. The KV's assembled 896 boxes for the single Marines and they were placed on the bunks in the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters.

Jo Scavo and Jim Davlin presenting Amy O'Dell with a donation from
the Los Angeles Pipe Fitters.

Starting at 0600, the 1/5 Marines began debarkation at the Camp Del Mar Boat Basin and White Beach.  They were then bused and trucked to Camp San Mateo.  Families and friends patiently waited through out the day for their loved ones.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Brian Billingham, 1/5 Operations Chief and Colonel Leonard Wunderlich, USMC, Retired 1/5 Operations Officer during the Tet Offensive

Standing Col Wunderlich and MGySgt Burlingame seated Cindy Burlingame and MGySgt Frank Nuanez, Operations Chief during the Tet Offensive

Amy O'Dell, Colonel Leonard Wunderlich, Cindy Burlingame

LCpl Daniel , Daniel Jr., and Jeanette Villalobos