Marines network at country club

More than 80 Marines visited Costa Mesa on Thursday evening for a dinner and networking.

The privately funded affair at the Mesa Verde Country Club was spearheaded by Mayor Jim Righeimer, who on Friday called it a “stellar event.” The Camp Pendleton-based Marines, who are going overseas later this month, were from the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines — the city’s adopted battalion.

The goal of the event was to help the Marines establish relationships with local businessmen and businesswomen, Righeimer said. Those contacts are likely to help the Marines while they’re on active duty and also when they leave the service and transfer back into civilian life, the mayor said.

Among the attendees was former Costa Mesa Mayor Jack Hammett, a Pearl Harbor survivor.

— Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint