As we begin this journey, here are some interesting facts about our starting point...
- Twentynine Palms was named for the palm trees located in the Oasis of Mara at the Joshua Tree National Park headquarters. When the area was settled by gold miners in the late 19th century, there were 29 palm trees growing in the oasis, most of which are still standing today.
- On August 20, 1952, Camp Pendleton Base Headquarters issued Post Order 343, and Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif, was born. Only 70 Marines comprised the initial Marine detachment at the Center and by mid-December 1952, a fresh 3rd Marine Division with assistance from the 12th Marine Regiment conducted the first large-scale, live-fire field exercise aboard the new base. This “FEX-1” gave Marines a glimpse of the facility’s potential and foreshadowed the large-scale combined-arms exercises for which the base is now famous.
- Throughout the years, the vibrant and vital relationship between the base and the City of Twentynine Palms and other Hi-Desert communities has been a source of comfort and pride to the command. From those early days when the survival of 70-odd Marines depended almost solely upon what the budding town provided, to today, the relationship has always been one of mutual respect and support.
I am so excited to start on this journey and see how far we are able to travel in a demonstration of our support for our Marines of 3rd Battalion 7th Marines.
