A Few Good Men (and Women) Highlight Relay for Life

By Martin Henderson

For 22 of the 24 hours of the Rancho Santa Margarita Relay for Life, the red flag of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment of the United States Marine Corps made its way around the perimeter of Central Park. 

Held aloft at all times, occasionally moving at double-time in the arms young Marines carrying it more proudly than a hockey player carries the Stanley Cup, the flag became the unofficial symbol at this year's Relay.

Eleven soldiers led by Staff Sergeant Chad Schwan, and a few of their family members, were part of the Team 2/5 Marines who participated last weekend in the city's 11th annual relay, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that raised more than $50,000, according to event organizers.

The 2/5's collective goal was to complete more than 1,000 laps, or the equivalent of about 350 miles. Obviously, a few good men did just that. Four of them completed 101 laps, and four others completed at least 80, according to team captain Mike Vaughn.

The completion of 79 laps around the park is about equal to the 26.2 miles that comprise a traditional marathon, and those who did reach that mark received special "Kabrina's Marathon Club" dog tags from Rancho Viejo Montessori School, named after former student Kabrina Best Cressey, who died last August at age 15 and was honored during the Saturday night Luminaria ceremony.

• For story of Kabrina Cressey, Click Here
• Video highlights, including the Marines' opening lap (2:28)
• Mayor Tony Beall's welcome speech (2:49)
• Cancer survivor Ryan Oddo's keynote speech (11:33)
• Tribute to Kabrina Cressey (5:00)
• Walkers with reading of names, Audrey Fankhanel performance (8:22)

The City has adopted the 2/5 Marines. "Every time we reach out to support these Marines from the 2/5, they return the favor with about 10 times the amount of energy," said Vaughn, who is also a City planning commissioner.

In addition to their walking and running effort, the Marines helped other teams with setup and cleanup, and kept a water brigade going by keeping tubs of water bottles on ice for all Relay participants on a hot summer day. 

About the only place they weren't seen was at Billy Blanks' Tai Bo class early Sunday morning.

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"They knew they couldn't keep up with Curt Stanley," quipped Vaughn, noting the energy of Stanley, RSM's 60-something emcee of choice.

Among the highlights of the event were the crowning of this year's king and queen, Ryan Janics and Cathy Pollacio; a keynote address by cancer survivor Ryan Oddo of The Bridge church; the request by Orange County's Hero for Hope, Toni Colli, for volunteers for the ACS's Road to Recovery program to assist those with cancer; and the emotional story of Kabrina. 

The Marines wore blue hats with "Team 2/5 RSM" on the front, and the 2/5 motto on their shirts: "Retreat Hell," fitting for the worldwide battle against cancer.

"These young men set a goal for this event, to cover 1,000 laps," Vaughn said. "They accomplished this goal, running rather than walking for much of the way, with honor, courage and commitment."