On Friday 14 November 2003 our little brothers currently serving with
2/5 will be celebrating the 228th Birthday of our Corps at their
all-hands Birthday Ball to be held at the Marriott in Anaheim, CA. This
year's event will be particularly significant given their recent return
from Operation Iraqi Freedom and their tremendous successes there. In
addition to the usual festivities and ceremonies they will be paying
tribute to their wounded and fallen in Iraq.

The battalion has graciously and enthusiastically invited all former
2/5ers and their guests to join them at this year's Birthday Ball. This
will be an excellent opportunity for 2/5ers from many generations to
reunite and swap sea stories and for former 2/5ers to learn first hand
all that these heroes have just done during their time at the tip of the
spear.

The cost of a ticket is just $50, which is tax deductible. Further, the
amount we spend on tickets will help defray the cost of the cruise books
that the Marines will be purchasing to commemorate their participation
in Iraqi Freedom.

We would like to encourage all of you to attend this event. Those who
are not able to make it may wish to purchase a ticket or two anyway in
order to reduce the cost of the cruise book for the Marines. It's
certainly a worthy cause. If you are interested in attending, please
respond to this email so we can keep a running total for others
interested in reuniting with former comrades in arms.

Tickets may be purchased through the battalion. Please send a check for
$50/ticket made payable to '2/5 Marine Corps Ball Fund' to the following
address:

Birthday Ball Coordinator
2nd Battalion 5th Marines
P.O Box 555473
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5473

Be sure to include your address with the check so they can send the
tickets to you. If you have any questions about the ball, please email
us or contact Lieutenant Newman, Battalion Adjutant, at 760 725 7566.

Semper Fidelis,

Jonathan Yellen & Scott MacQuarrie

Note to Fox Company Marines: Yellen and I started this list a vehicle
to inform former G Co. Marines about the doings of said company. Since
the Bn has invited all former 2/5ers, we are passing the info along.
Please let me know if you would like to be removed from the the list and
I will delete you ASAP.

Mac