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A Young Marine Attends the Military Youth Caucus Kick-off By YMSgtMaj Michael Borka Fairfax County VA On WednesdayNovember 18ththe Young Marines Sea Cadets and various members of Congress came together for the official kick-off of the Military Youth Caucus. This organization has been established to help secure federal funding for both programs and will also bring the two youth organi- zations together as sister programs. We came together at the Sam Rayburn build- ing in Washington DC for the event with four Sea Cadet units and three Young Marine units Manassas Fairfax County and Nations Capital along with National Headquarters staff all in attendance. We opened with a joint Color Guard made up of members of both the Young Marines and Sea Cadets who did a phenomenal job. Additionally two twin Young Marines led the Caucus in the Pledge of Allegiance as well as a Sea Cadet singing the National Anthem. Next the two leading Congress members addressed the Caucus. First was Congressman Duncan Hunter a Marine Corps veteran along with Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo who both are incred- ibly excited to see what we can do with this new Caucus. Finally two testimonies were given one from myself and one from a senior ranking Sea Cadet.We both talked about our experiences within our respective programs and how they have made such an impact that will affect us for the rest of our lives. Thanks to this Caucus both of our programs will be able to achieve new heights that we never thought possible giving both organizations a bright future ahead of us. By YMSgt Christian Segoviano Santa Clarita Valley CA Last October staff member Mark Sears received an urgent phone call from the president of one of the non-profit or- ganizations our unit partners with for a lot of community service projects. Su- zon Gerstel president of Prayer Angels for the Military had requested an honor guard from the U.S. Army because her uncle a Korean War veteran had passed away and they were having a celebration of life service. Mrs. Gerstel tried to work with the lo- cal U.S. Army recruiting office but over several days was not able to get a re- sponse or confirmation. Staff member Mark Sears got a call from her asking if it was possible for the Young Marines to do an Honor Guard for the event to be held the next day. He contacted a unit staff member Mr. Gallegos to help out. Mr. Gallegos had contacted me to ar- range for two Young Marines to honor this fallen hero. I called YMSgt Christopher Chandler to see if he was available to do the event. Luckily he was.I informed him to dress in his Charlies with ribbons. We were both picked up by Mr. Sears and arrived at the event at approximately 1230 hours. We were given the flag to be presented to the widow and rehearsed the proto- cols for folding the flag. The ceremony was held at a community center near where Mrs. Gerstels uncle lived and was attended by a large number of his fam- ily friends and neighbors and two Young Marines dressed in Charlies. When the ceremony started nerves kicked in YMSgt Chandler and I got a little nervous as neither one of us had ever done anything like this before. I had been told to present the flag to the widow so I was a bit more nervous.I had practiced what to say all the way to the event. We were finally called to the front. We unfolded the flag presented it then refolded it keeping it taut and respected. It was so quiet that the only thing you could hear was the click- ing of cameras as we made each fold. When the folding was complete YMSgt Chandler presented it to me. I accepted it in crossed arms. He rendered a hand salute then stood at attention. I performed a left face and slowly approached the widow who was seated in the front row. I knelt on my right knee placed one hand on top and one hand below the flag. On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation I present to you this flag in honor of your loved ones service to this great country. That phrase was one of the hardest phras- es Ive ever had to say in my life. The most difficult thing was maintaining my bearing not showing emotion at a very emotional moment. After the event many of the retired mili- tary there complimented us on our profes- sionalism. I overheard one man say it was one of the most professional presentations he had ever seen. When Mr. Sears was asked how he thought the ceremony went he said I have never been more proud of these Young Marines than I am right now. I will never forget this day. One of the Hardest Phrases Ive Ever Had to Say in My Life... The most difficult thing was maintaining my bearing not showing emotion at a very emotional moment. Page 22 ESPRIT