UNIT MYYM Griswold, Connecticut PRIDE (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Every- one) presented our unit the PRIDE Partner of the Year Award. During their annual meeting, Griswold PRIDE acknowledged the incredible coalition involvement of the Natchaug River Young Marines. “The mighty efforts of this or- ganization prove that when we work together, great things can happen in our community. Their dedication to the youth and families of eastern Connecticut is evidenced by their ac- tion and commitment in supporting PRIDE ac- tivities, not just in the town of Griswold, but in Putnam as well”, stated Miranda Nagle, coali- tion director. -- Submitted by Joseph Couture, Unit Commander, Natchaug River (CT) Young Marines Town Names Natchaug River YM Unit Partner of the Year By YM/ PFC Kelvin Azcuy Atlantic Coast (FL) On January 21, 2017, the Atlantic Coast Young Marines went to the Orange Park Fire Station to learn about fire safety. We learned about how to extinguish fires with a fire extinguisher safely, and what to do if a fire gets too big or too dangerous for our intervention.We also reviewed our fire escape plans for our houses,which we made a few hours earlier,if whenever we had a fire in our house or a spreading fire from a neighbor’s house as well and it also marked where to meet up when that situa- tion arises.Also on our visit to the fire station, we learned how the fire fighters live and deal with the stress of doing their day to day job. As well, the Young Marines got to get inside the ve- hicles that they use everyday and to touch and feel the equip- ment they use to help the Firemen when they are on the field. We all had fun doing this and we all learned a lot of things that could benefit, and help in the future and had fun doing it! A Lesson in Fire Safety for Atlantic Coast YMs Northern Kentucky: People Proudly Polar Plunging... Once again, Young Marines from the Northern Kentucky unit were “freezin’ for a reason”.A brave group of Young Marines (and 3 parents) raised over $800 for Special Olympics, then jumped into a pool of ice-cold water at the Polar Plunge on 4 February. YM/PFC Noah Bilby, YM/PFC Isaiah Bilby, YM/PFC Kohen Drahman, YM/Pvt Christian Gallegos, YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer (D2YMOY), YM/Pvt Devin Riley, YM/Cpl Scott Robinson, YM/Sgt Audrey Rowland, YM/Cpl Ben Schuler, YM/ PFC Kyle Watters, YM/LCpl Parker Wilson plus parents Randy Bilby and Brenda Dawson all took the plunge. -- Submitted by Lynn Arnold, Unit Commander, Northern Kentucky Young Marines Freezin’for a Reason in Northern Kentucky. 4 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE