By YM/LCpl Michael Manley Atlantic Coast (FL) Our Unit Commander, Ms. Kimberly Gibbons, presented the Atlantic Coast Young Marines with the opportunity to earn a Drug Demand Reduction device. I am so proud to say that I have just received mine. I am always excited to earn a new ribbon, but getting this device was different for me. In order to receive it I had to teach four classes to my peers. The first thing I had to do was call adult leaders and teachers of youth groups and organizations to see if they would allow me to teach such a class. Some were interested, but some others could not consider it. My first phone call was a “no”, which was discouraging. Ms. Gibbons and Gunny Vicente teach us to always be persistent. They teach us to never give up no matter how hard things are, so I did. I finally received permission for the classes. I was happy, but then I realized that teaching a class could be even more chal- lenging. Especially since I am only 10 years old and one of my four classes was to be presented to middle school students between the ages of 12 to 15. Another was for a teen youth group between the ages of 15 to 18. My first class was the 15 to 18 year old teen class. I am much younger; I was really nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Would they want to listen to somebody of my age? Would they laugh as I warned them about the dangers of drug abuse? The first couple of minutes were a little difficult, but before long, they not only wanted to hear what I had to say, but had questions for me. I couldn’t believe teenagers would ask me questions, but they did. This was the hardest class because it was my first, and because I was so worried about the age dif- ference. After that class, my other classes seemed easier not just because I had done it once, but because I saw how impor- tant it is to spread the message about not abusing drugs. The teens told me that I told them things that they never realized before. That made me proud, because I felt like I was able to help someone. I want to tell all of the Young Marines who may be afraid to speak in front of people that you can do it! Step out of your comfort zone! I am not going to say it will be easy, but it will be worth it when you see how you can help people. I am thankful that the Young Marines offered the chance to earn this device. I am also thankful that the ACYM encourages us to go after it. I now have the device and am already more comfortable speaking in public. This was a great thing for me, and for all who listened to me, too. Earning a DDR device: I Had a Chance to Help People,Too By YM/Cpl Derian Lassetter Heart of Texas During our November Drill, we had a guest speaker whose name is Mr. Ralph Campos. Mr. Campos grew up with Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Cam- pos brought his high school yearbook (which included pictures of Kiki) and told us about his life when they lived in Calexico, California (a city located north of the Mexico - U.S. border) together. They played baseball together in a league sponsored by the local Ki- wanis Club. Mr. Campos tried enlisting in the Army after high school, but was not able to enlist due to a hearing disorder. Kiki, on the other hand, was able to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1972 until 1974. After leaving the Marine Corps, became a firefighter and police of- ficer in his home town. Kiki then was recruited by the Drug Enforcement Administration to assist in taking down the drug dealers in California and the drug cartels in Mexico. A day or so before a raid was going to occur, a Federale (a slang Spanish term for the Mexican Federal Police) in Mexico informed on Kiki Camare- na to the cartel and Kiki was kidnapped, tortured and murdered. He was found dead two days after he went missing; his death was profoundly felt in the city of Calexico. Nancy Reagan, wife of then California Governor Ronald Reagan, saw how determined Kiki was on fighting drug trafficking, and she promoted Red Ribbon week as a symbol of his efforts. Red Ribbon week became a nationwide service effort in following years. Red Ribbon week transforms us as an organization to become like Kiki and put a stop to drug abuse. Mr. Campos’ presentation made Young Marines feel as they now know Kiki Camarena in a way that they really can relate to. His story helps in continuing our fight to say “no” to drugs. Learning About Kiki Camarena From One of His Friends 14 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT YM/LCpl Manley Kiki Camarena’s story helps in continuing our fight to say “no” to drugs. Enrique “Kiki” Camarena 1947-1985