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By YM PVT Madison Long Pulaski MO Last December The Pu- laski Young Marines went to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor Memorial parade. While we were there we were able to do many in- teresting things. We went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation climbed to the top of Dia- mond Head Crater went swimming and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay visited the USS Arizona Memorial went aboard the battle- ship USS Missouri visited the National Cemetery of the Pacific and attended a luau. At the National Cemetery of the Pa- cific we got to meet one of the survi- vors of the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The veter- ans name is William McAnny and he is 93 years old. He was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Solace a hospital ship that was anchored in the harbor. One thing that I will always remem- ber was when he said that they were still picking up bodies out of the wa- ter for months after the attacks. The main reason we were in Hawaii was to march in the parade. There were many Young Marines there. I car- ried the banner for the USS Missouri battleship. That was really cool since we are from Missouri. The parade was very exciting and fun. When we went to the USS Arizona Memorial I thought it was interesting that you could see the top of the hulk of the ship emerg- ing out of the water. There was still oil leaking out too. The battleship USS Missouri was cool too. I learned how the sailors would clean the deck by using a brick and a stick. It was aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sep- tember 2 1945 that representatives from the Empire of Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender ending the war with Japan. On the flight home I thought about how cool it was in Hawaii and how much we had done and learned. It was so much fun and a really great trip I will always remember. A Place of Many Interesting Things Our Visit to Pearl Harbor Young Marines from Missouri carried the parade banner for the USS Missouri. ESPRIT Page 15 By YM LCpl Jennifer Feher Hanover Area PA As I stand in my classroom every morn- ing and pledge allegiance to the flag it is because of our veterans. As I sit in Church on Sunday to worship God it is because of our veterans. As a young female who has been given the opportunity to be anything I want to be because of our veterans. Veterans are the men and women like my father grand- fathers uncles mentors and friends who have made the choice to serve our country and fight for my freedom.They are important in so many ways because they went into battle fighting for their lives to let us have the freedom we enjoy. Many people today only think of them as people who fought in wars or worse yet they do not think of our vet- erans at all. People like me know family and friends that fought in the wars and we think of them as leaders and be- loved family members. To me I love all of the people who fought and who are fighting for us especially those who died in the wars. My grandfather retired from the Navy. I lost my grandfather last year because he was sick but every time I saw him he had another story to tell me of what he went through.As an Aviation Electronic Technician First Class he served 20 years and went through a lot. He repaired whatever needed to be fixed for his unit in the Navy. My father also retired from the Navy not long after I was born. After 22 years his ca- reer as a Signalman was ending because the Navy ended his rate. He has always taught me the importance of hon- oring our veterans not only on the holidaysbut every day. I am thankful that being a part of the Young Marines gives me more chances to do this. As I grow up I will always try to honor and remember the importance of our veterans the past the present the future. As I meet new soldiers I will show my respect be- cause they are also someones loved one and I will look for their story in a veterans eyes. An Essay Why I Appreciate Veterans