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ESPRITVolume22014 ByYoungMarinesForYoungMarinesNationalHeadquartersStaffNationalExecutiveDirectorChiefExecutiveOfcerMichaelKesslerNationalDeputyDirectorJosephVenableInspectorGeneraloftheYoungMarinesJosephBlesDirectorTrainingEducationMichaelGuilesTrainingEducationSpecialistAlvinHendricksChiefMarketingOfcerGaryWeisbaumUnitMarketingManagerJanelleJohnsenDeputyDirectorWestCoastOperationsandProgramDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerJosephLusignanDirectorofAdministrationJudyJonesDatabaseAdministratorPatriciaBorkaDirectorofFinanceMikeTracyWebmasterServiceTimKupperXpertMediaManagementLLCYoungMarinesESPRITJaimeJassoEditorLayoutandDesignBoardofDirectorsChairmanoftheBoard-WilliamSmithViceChairmanoftheBoard-WilliamJ.WalkerNationalExecutiveDirector-MichaelKesslerInvitedMember-GeneOverstreetGeneralCounsel-HerbHarmonDirectorofFinance-MichaelTracyAppointedMember-LorenFunkAppointedMember-WilliamBarnesAppointedMemberTreasurer-RobertBorkaAppointedMemberBoardSecretary-DinaDillonAppointedMember-LouisJohnsonDeputyDirector-JosephVenableMarineCorpsLeagueLiaison-DaveGardnerYoungMarinesNationalFoundationExecutiveDirector-MikeZeliffYoungMarinesAlumniAssociationEdgarHuff-FormerYoungMarineoftheYearDivisionCommandersRobertDittrichDivisionOneGeorgeBiedenbenderDivisionTwoJohnGionetDivisionThreeCharlesJacksonDivisionFourRonPownallDivisionFiveMichaelWilsonDivisionSixDivisionYoungMarinesoftheYearYMSgtMajAustinLoppeDivisionOneYMSgtMajJasonMooneyDivisionTwoYMSgtMajAlexanderMessmerDivisionThreeYMSgtMajJoshuaAikmanDivisionFourYMSgtMajMichaelBorkaDivisionFiveYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseDivisionSixNationalYoungMarineoftheYearYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseESPRITPage1 Withthe2014AdultLeadersConfer-encenowbehinduswecanonceagainbegintheprocessoflookingforwardatalloftheincrediblechangesthataretak-ingplacetoenhanceourprogram.Themagazineyourmagazinehastakenonanewandexcitinglook.Asmen-tionedwehavesomanythingshappen-ingaroundthecountrythatwefeltitwasmoreimportanttohearofyourlocalaccomplishmentsthantotrytofocusonanysingletheme.Thisapproachseemstobeworking.WehavebecomeveryengagedwitharenewedefforttoexposetheYoungMa-rinesbrandtoamuchlargeraudience.Todatewehavemoreexposurethroughsocialmediathaneverbeforeandprintedheadlinenewshasbecomeadailyoccurrence.LocalradioandTVappeartobemoreinterestedinwhatourmembersaredoingintheircommunities.AndinonecasethecommunityleadersactuallypaiditforwardtoalocalYoungMarineunitfortheircountlesshoursofdedicationtotheneedsofthecommu-nity.Wehaveanewlooktothewebsiteonethatwillenhancethemanagementoftheeventsandactivitiesofeachandev-eryunitwhileatthesametimeshowcas-ingthesuccessesofthatunit.ItallowstheYoungMarinestoseeeverythingthatishappeningsimplybyloggingoncheckingscheduledeventsadmiringtheawardsthattheunithasearnedandreadsomeoftheFacebookPostsandprintedmaterials.Italsoallowsforquickerac-cesstoYoungMarinesRecordBooks.Iwouldliketotakethisnalopportu-nitytocongratulatethedivisionUnitsoftheYearourdivisionAdultVolun-teersoftheYearandthedivisionYoungMarinesoftheYear.Iamdeeplyproudandinspiredbyallthatyoucontinuetodointhefaceofthemanychallengesthatconfrontyouinyourprivatelives.ThisorganizationhasbeentrulyblessedwiththeleveloftalentcommitmentanddedicationoftimeandenergyinmakingtheYoungMarinesoftheMarineCorpsLeaguesuchaviableandrecognizedforceamongthemanyyouthprogramsinthecountry.AndnallyIwouldliketoextendafondfarewelltoouroutgoingNationalYoungMarineoftheYearYMSergeantMajorDakotaRichter.ShewasapowerfulsourceandaheavyinuenceinthelivesofmanymanyYoungMarines.Sheneversloweddownalwayshadakeensenseofwhoshewasandwhatsherepresented.ShelookedoutforthosehundredsofYoungMarinesthatshecameincontactwithandleftanindeliblemark.Thatisthesignofaselessleaderandonewhowillsucceedinallfutureendeavors.AssheheadstotheUnitedStatesCoastGuardAcademythissummerIknowyouwillalljoinmeinwishingherallthatsuccesshastooffer.SemperFiMikeKesslerFromourNationalDirectorYoungMarinesSomeChangestoEnhanceOurProgramPage2ESPRITFollowusonFacebookwww.facebook.comusyoungmarinesandournationalhomepagewww.youngmarines.com ESPRITPage3FromOur2013YoungMarineoftheYearYoungMarinesTakeAdvantageofLeadershipSchoolOpportunitiesByYMSgtMajDakotaRichterNationalYoungMarineoftheYear2013-2014AsYoungMarinesoneofourthreecorevaluesisLeadership.Nowhereinourprogramisthereisanoppor-tunitytofurtheryourselfasaleadermoresothanatoneofourregionaldivisionalornationalLeadershipSchoolsontheJuniorSeniorandAdvancedlevels.Onaregionalanddivisionallev-elJuniorLeadershipSchoolsJLSarefoundallacrossthecountryallthroughouttheyear.YoungMarineLanceCorporalsandCorporalseligibleneedtoseizethisopportunityassoonaspossibleinordertomeetrequirementsforfu-turerankaswellasawards.Moresothanthatthisistheear-liestopportunitytoreceivenation-ally-mandatedleadershiptrainingoutsideofrecruittraining.ThiswillbenetnotonlyyouasaYoungMa-rinebutyourunitaswell.AssomeonewhoattendedallthreeofherschoolsontheNationallev-elImayhaveaslightbiasbutassomeonewhohasinstructedschoolsatalllevelsIrmlybelievethatforSeniorLeadershipSchoolSLSyourbestexperiencewillbefoundatthehighestlevel.Attendingtheone-weekNationalSLSallowsYoungMarinesfromacrossthenationtoconnectwiththeirpeersaswellasAdultStaffthatmayserveasbenecialconnectionsfortheyearstocome.AdvancedLeadershipSchoolALSnotdespiteofbutbecauseofthechallengesitpresentedbecamethebesttwoweeksofmycareerintheYoungMarinessofar.Thegatheringofourprogramsftybestandbrightestleadersisapow-erfuleventandonethateveryYoungMarineshouldstrivetoexperience.Sign-upsforboththeNationalSeniorandAdvancedLeadershipSchoolswhicharemadepossibleinlargeparttothegraciousdonationfromGlocktakeplaceannuallyinearlyJanuary.Icanpersonallyguaranteethatthissum-mersNationalLeadershipAcademiescon-tainmanymajornecessaryimprovements.RemainalerttoupdatesinthecalendartonddatesforJLSandkeepinmindthatyouarenotconnedtoyourregionorevenyourdivisionwhenattendingtheseschools.AsanALSgraduatebeingabletoleadasaYoungMarineStaffmemberonanyoftheselevelsisaprivilegeandanamazingexperi-encethatshouldnotbetakenforgranted.Foradivisionalorregionalschoolsimplycontactthatschoolsdirectorforinquiriesconcerningstaffpositions.IstronglyadviseeachandeveryYoungMa-rinetoconsidertakingpartinoneoftheseLeadershipSchoolsinthenearfuturetobetternotonlyyourselfbutyourunitandourprogramasawhole.AsanAdvancedLeadershipSchoolGraduatebeingabletoleadasaYoungMarineStaffmemberisaprivilegeandanamazingexperiencethatshouldnotbetakenforgranted.Somememorablescenesas2013NationalYoungMarineoftheYear.YMSgtMajDakotaRichterspeakingatthe2013AdultLeadersConferenceatPearlHarborMemorialactivitiesinHawaiiandparticipatinginalocalradiostationseventbackhomeinKentucky. Page4ESPRITAnthonyP.SzantyrAnthonyP.Szantyr89passedawayonMondayApril142014.Mr.SzantyrwasborninWaterburyCTonMay301924.HewasalongtimeresidentofProspectCTandaUnitedStatesMarineCorpsveteranservingduringWorldWarII.HewasamemberoftheMarineCorpsLeagueandafound-ingmemberoftheYoungMarinesin1959.AccordingtoMichaelKesslerNationalExecutiveDirectoroftheYoungMarinesMr.Szantyrhadavisionandtodaywerepresentwhatitwasthatheandafewothershadinmind.Hetoldmethatheneverthoughtitwouldevergetthisbigandthathewasproudtohaveplayedsuchakeyrole.Thankyousirforthatvision.Mr.Szantyrwasamongseveralguestshonoredatthe50thAnniversaryCelebrationoftheYoungMarinesinWaterburyCTin2009.Hewasinterviewedatthateventandsomeofthatinterviewcanbeviewedonourwebsiteatwww.youngmarines.com--CompiledfrominformationfurnishedbyTheCitizensNewsNaugatuckCTSgtMajCliffHillUSMCRetWhetheritwashiscommit-menttoshoe-leatherreport-ingorhistenacitytowardin-uencingthenextgenerationofYoungMarinesCliffHillisrememberedforhiscommit-mentandpassion.HillaretiredMarinesergeantmajorandalongtimeJackson-villeresidentdiedMarch17.Hewas82.Followingadecorated31-yearMarineCorpsca-reerthatendedwithhisretirementHillturnedinhisweaponandissuedhimselfapentakingtothestreetsasareporterforTheDailyNewsofJacksonvilleNCfrom1984until2001.MadisonTaylorwhoservedasaneditoratTheDailyNewsduringHillstimeastheDailyNewscrimereporterrecalledIlearnedhowtheCorpsanditspublicaffairsworks.Ilearnedthemindsetofaguywhohadbeenintheeld.Hehelpedmeunderstandwhatthetroopsarethinkingandhowtheygoabouttheirjob...Cliffgavemegoodin-sightintohowthemilitarythinksasawhole.HemademeseethingsIwasntawareof.TayloraddedthatHillworkedsohardthathisfellowreportersfeltcompelledtokeepupwithhimwhichmadethenewspaperbetterinthelongrun.ElliottPotterthepublisherofTheDailyNewssaidHillleftbehindalegacyofexcellenceinjournalismandtruedevotiontohiscraft.ThebestwaytogetastoryistobethereandCliffHillwastherePottersaid.Hemadeitapointtobethere...Alotoftimestodaywedothingswiththecomputerorthetelephone.ThatsnotthewaythatCliffdidit.Hediditbygoingtothesceneandtalkingtopeople.Hegothisinforma-tionrsthandandhustledtogetthatdone.JoeVenableDeputyDirectoroftheYoungMa-rinessaidSgtMajCliffHillwasaninspirationtotheyouthofAmericabyhistirelesseffortsandvolunteerservicewithYoungMarines.AsaDi-visionCommanderovermultiplesoutheasternstateshislegacyofleadershipcompassionandsageadviceisrememberedbyhundredsifnotthousands.--CompiledfrominformationprovidedbyThomasBrennanofTheDailyNewsofJacksonvilleNCInMemoriamWepayourrespectstotwooutstandingindividualswhosevisionandleadershipcontributedsomuchandinspiredandinfuencedseveralgenerationsofYoungMarines. ESPRITPage5FrontandCenterYoungMarineLozanoCreditedWithSavingaLifeOnMay30attheMarineReserveTrainingCenterGraduationforClass01-2013oftheBakerseldCAYoungMarineswasheld.YoungMarineChristianJ.Lozanowasse-lectedfrom44recruitsasHonorGraduate.Histestscorewasover90percent.Hedem-onstratedaboveaverageperformanceandwasselectedrepeatedlyasguidonbearer.HewasselectedformeritoriouspromotiontoPrivateFirstClass.LessthanamonthlaterwhileonsummervacationinlateJuneinVenturaCaliforniaPFCLozanowascreditedwithsavingthelifeof11yearoldMayaHarding.WhilehewassurngwithfriendsYoungMarineLo-zanoobservedwhathethoughtwasasealuntilhesawanoutstretchedarmandheardacallforhelp.Withouthesitationheenteredthewaterandswamoutalongthepierghtingheavywavesandgrabbedtheyounggirlsarm.Herealizedthattheywerebeingpushedintothepierpilingsbythewavesandtoldhertoholdontohimwhileheswamstren-uouslywithherholdingonmissingthepil-ingsbylessthentenfeet.ForhisactionsLozanowasrecognizedbytheAmericanRedCrossHeroesDinner.HewasalsorecognizedbytheVenturaSher-iffsDepartmenttheKernCountyCAFireDepartmenttheUnitedStatesCoastGuardandbyMichaelKesslerYoungMarinesNa-tionalExecutiveDirectorwhoawardedhimtheLifeSavingRibbonAward1stDegreeandmeritoriouslypromotedhimtoLanceCorporal.--SubmittedbyJohnGonzalesExecutiveOf-fcerBakersfeldYoungMarines.OPSOYoungMarineEarnsMultipleAcademicHonorsRecentlyLCplImaniJessemyoftheOrleansParishSheriffsOfceYoungMarineswasinductedintotheNationalHonorSocietyBetaClubMuAlphaThetaandThe23Club.ImanihasbeenintheYoungMarinessinceJune2008andisinDeputyJeromeMatthewsunit.Imanicarriesa4.0averageinMcDonogh35CollegePrepHighSchool.--SubmittedbyAliceB.ReedThreeRiversAGiftofStuffedAnimalsOnTuesdayDecember312013YoungMarinesandRegisteredAdultsfromtheThreeRiversCTYoungMarinestransportedaloadofstuffedanimalstheunithadcollectedandtraveledtotheConnecticutChildrensMedicalCenterCCMCinEastHartfordCT.Ourunitdonatedonethousandonehundredandftystuffedanimals.Represent-ingtheunitwereYMGySgtPaigeLaFlammeleftandYMPvtCameronMorseright.AcceptingthedonationweremembersoftheCCMCFoundation.--SubmittedbyPatrickMcMahonUnitCommanderThreeRiversYoungMarinesYoungMarineLCplChristianLozanoHeobservedwhathethoughtwasasealuntilhesawanoutstretchedarmandheardacallforhelp.HerThirdPerfectPFTinaRowLCPLElainaNavaoftheGemStateYoungMarinesachievedherthirdPer-fectPFTonFebruary152014.HerrstwasachievedinFebruaryof2013andhersecondwasachievedlatelastsummer.--SubmittedbyLeisaThorusenNationalMeritoriousServiceRibbonAwardedtoYoungMarinePFCNoahKrysOnSundayMarch162014AssistantDivision1CommanderMr.JosephCouturepresentedThreeRiversYMPFCNoahKryswithhisNationalMeritoriousServiceawardforhisactionsininterven-inginadogattack.--SubmittedbyPatrickMcMahonUnitCommanderThreeRiversYoungMarines Page6ESPRITYMSgtMajAustinLoppeTri-StateYoungMarinesOHDivision1YMSgtMajLoppe16isajunioratIndianCreekHighSchoolinMingoJunctionOH.IamcurrentlyajuniorattendingIndianCreekHighSchoolandIalsoattendthelocalcommunitycollege.IjoinedtheYoungMarinesinAprilof2010.MyunitislocatedinWeirtonWV.IwanttomaketheMarinesacareerandhopefullyretirewith20ormoreyearsandthenbecomealocallawenforcementofcer.YMSgtMajJasonMooneyHamiltonYoungMarinesMDDivision2YMSgtMajMooney16isajunioratParkvilleHighSchoolinBaltimoreMD.IplantoattendcollegeandbecomeaeldartilleryofcerfortheUnitedStatesMarineCorps.YMSgtMajAlexanderMessmerCherryPointYoungMarinesNCDivision3YMSgtMajMessmer18isajunioratEarlyCollegeEastHighSchoolinHavelockNC.Ihavebeenintheprogramfor10years.ThemostrewordingexperienceIhavehadwiththeYoungMarinesprogramismyrecenttriptotoGuam.OnceIcompletetheprogramIplanonbecomingastaffmemberandgivingbacktotheprogrameverythingthisprogramhasgiventome.IplanonnishingmycollegedegreeinelectricalengineeringatNCState.The2014DivisionYoungMarinesoftheYearYMSgtMajJoshuaAikmanJeffersonParishSheriffsOfceYoungMarinesLADivision4YMSgtMajAikman18ofMarreroLAisasenioratNewOrleansMilitaryandMaritimeAcademy.YMSgtMajMichaelBorkaShiawasseYoungMarinesMIDivision5YMSgtMajBorka15isasophomoreatSwartzCreekHighSchoolinSwartzCreekMI.JoiningtheYoungMarinesin2006SgtMajBorkamadetheprogramhislife.Hehasenjoyedtraininghispeersandtravelingaroundthecountrymeetingnewpeopleandtryingnewthings.SgtMajBorkaplansonjoiningtheNavyafterhegraduatesandplansacareerineducation.MeetthesixYoungMarinesselectedasthebestfromtheirdivisions ESPRITPage7YMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseOregonCascadeYoungMarinesORDivision6YMSgtMajDeWeese17isajunioratWestviewHighSchoolinPortlandOR.AfterhighschoolIwanttoservemycountryintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps.IwishtodualmajorinCommunicationsandBusiness.IwouldliketoreturntotheYoungMarinesprogramandhelpgivebacktothisincredibleorganization.YMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseSelectedas2014NationalYoungMarineoftheYearYoungMarinesUnitsandVolunteersReceiveAwardsatALCUnitsandVolunteersoftheYearwerealsoannouncedattheAdultLead-ersConference.CongratulationstothefollowingUnitsandIndividuals.UnitoftheYearDivisionOne-BlackstoneYoungMarines.DivisionTwo-Col.WesleyFoxYoungMarinesDivisionThree-Lt.AlexanderBonnymanYoungMarinesDivisionFour-DouglasCountyYoungMarinesDivisionFive-LapeerCountyYoungMarinesDivisionSix-ColumbiaRiverYoungMarinesYoungMarinesNationalUnitoftheYearLt.AlexanderBonnymanYoungMarinesYoungMarinesVolunteeroftheYearDivisionOne-AimeeFaganDivisionTwo-AdamRidgewayDivisionThree-DanaCozzensDivisionFour-AltriceTaylorDivisionFive-ScottRileyDivisionSix-BrianHildebrantYoungMarinesNationalVolunteeroftheYear-ScottRileyYoungMarinesUnitsReceiveEnriqueKikiCamarenaAwardsatALCWinnersoftheYoungMarinesEnriqueKikiCamarenaDivisionAwardswereannouncedattheAdultLeadersConference.CongratulationstothefollowingunitsforajobwelldoneDivision4-PikesPeakYoungMarinesDivision5-LapeerCountyYoungMarinesDivision6-EastValleyYoungMarinesDivision1-WestoverYoungMarinesDivision2-LCplCalebPowersYoungMarinesDivision3-EmeraldCoastYoungMarinesTheYoungMarinesannouncedthe2014-2015NationalYoungMarineoftheYearYMSgtMajBlakeW.DeWeese18ofBeaver-tonOR.DeWeeserepresentedDivisionSixincompetingwithveotherDivisionYoungMarinesoftheYearforthetitlewhichwasannouncedattheAdultLeadersConferenceforYoungMarinesJune47inWashingtonD.C.YMSgtMajBlakeW.DeWeeseisthepersonicationofallthatisgoodaboutthisorganizationsaidMichaelKesslerNationalExecutiveDirectorandCEOoftheYoungMarines.Hehasdem-onstratedallofthequalitieswearelookingforinthatoneYoungMarinewhowillserveasourambassadorinhistravelsaroundthecountryandinteractwithYoungMarinesparentsandadultvolunteers.WhenmynamewasannouncedIrecalledmyrstdayasaYoungMarinerecruitandallthehardshipIhadtoendureovertheyearstobewhereIamDeWeesesaid.IthoughtofmyYoungMarinesbackhomeandnallyIthoughtoftheaddedresponsi-bility.ItwillbenosmalltaskbutIamuptoit.DeWeesesaidthatwordofhishonorspreadfast.Peoplewereattheairporttogreethimandthestorywasfeaturedontheeveningnews.Hereceivednon-stopcongratulationscallsfromfriendsandfamily.WhatstrulyuniqueabouttheroleofYoungMarineoftheYearisthatitisnewlydenedeachyearbytheYoungMarinewhoearnsthetitlesaidYMSgtMajDakotaRichterlastyearsNation-alYoungMarineoftheYear.YMSgtMajDeWeeseistheperfectcharactertotakesuchachallengeandrunwithitIcantwaittoseewherethatroadleadshim.BlakeDeWeesejoinedtheYoungMarinesatage11andtodayhesinhisseventhyearintheprogram.HeisamemberoftheOregonCascadeYoungMarinesofPort-land.HecreditstheYoungMarinesforprovidingawelcomingenvironmentwherehecouldthriveanddevelopleadershipskills.AsNationalYoungMarineoftheYearDeWeesewilltravelthroughoutthecountryrepresentingtheYoungMarines.Inad-ditionhewillbeamentorforthe11000youthmembersintheYoungMarines.TheYoungMarinesIhaveworkedwithhavehelpedmesomuchDeWeesesaid.IcouldnotbewhereIamtodaywithoutthelessonstheyhavetaughtme.Theyleadbyexampleandarealldeservingofthehighestofhonors.IwilldoeverythinginmypowertocontinuethestellarreputationoftheYoungMarinesprogram.ThesonofCrystalandToddDeWeesehehastwosiblingsabrotherandsister.DeWeeseisasenioratWestviewHighSchoolinPortlandOR. Page8ESPRITByVickieGillespieAdjutantFlatIronsCOWhenwewenttotheALCconferencein2013weheardaboutaprogramcalledSeaPerch-anunderwaterRemotelyOper-atedVehicleROVprogram.Wethoughtitwassomethingdifferentwecouldbringtoourunit.WeorderedthesuppliesonlinedidourresearchandputthewordouttoourYoungMarineswhocouldntwaittogetstarted.FiveSaturdaysofbuildingandtestingkeptourYoungMarinesengagedenthusedandwantingmore.AfteralltheirhardworktheywherereadyforthenaltestingdaytoseeiftheirROVswouldmakeitinthepoolandbeputthruunder-waterobstacles.AlltheROVspassedwhichmadeevery-onehappy.SowecansayourrststabatSeaPerchProjectAlligatorwasahit.Wenowhavetwomoreclassesintheworks.WearegoingtomaketheROVsbig-gerbetterandaddcamerasandwirelesscontrolsoverthenextyear.CommentsfromourYoungMarinesaboutProjectAlligatorwereveryfavorableamongthemSeaPerchwasoneofthebestexperi-encesofmyYoungMarinecareer-YMCPLRobertA.McKennaandIthoughtitwasgreatIlearnedalotaboutengineering.-YMLCplLiamJ.Slavin.SeaPerchWebsitewww.seaperch.org.SeaPerchissponsoredbytheOfceofNa-valResearchONRandmanagedbyTheAUVSIFoundation.InWordsandPicturesProjectAlligatorSomeAssemblyRequiredFlatIronsYoungMarineslearnedavarietyofskillsandaboveallpatiencewhileassemblingtheirRemotelyOperatedVehicles.Adultsupervisionassuredthesafecompletionofthevarioustasksthatwereinvolved.ProjectAlligatorinstillsasenseofteamworkwhileprovidingtheopportunitytolearntoreadandfollowinstructionsandskillssuchassolderingandpreciseassembly. ESPRITPage9AllRemotelyOperatedVehiclespassedsuccessfullyperformingvarioustasksandmostimportantlybringingforthsmilesandadeepsenseofaccomplishment.WithassemblyandtestingcompletedoverthecourseofveSaturdaysthenaltestbroughtYoungMarinespoolside. Page10ESPRITASwimQualicationthatQualiedAllinOurUnitByYMGySgtMarshallMcIvorLewisandClarkYoungMarinesWATheLewisandClarkYoungMarinesofVancouverWashingtonrecentlyheldourannualswimqualicationonJanuary182014.OurunithadanexhilaratingtimemotivatingourfellowYoungMarinestofacetheirfearsandjumpintothedeependofthepool.WhenwerstarrivedtothepoolwehadYoungMarineswhowereafraidtogetclosetothepoolsedge.BythetimewehadtoloadthebusalloftheYoungMarineshadqualiedatthe3rdclasslevelorgreater.IwasverymotivatedthattheYoungMarinesinourunitfacedtheirfears.Ifyourunithasneverheldaswimqualicationyoushouldtalktoyourunitslead-ershipaboutarrangingonebecauseitiseasytoorganizeandaveryfuneventtodoanytimeoftheyearJustaddwaterAfewoftheLewisandClarkYoungMarineswhoallqualifedatthe3rdclasslevelorgreaterattheirswimqualifcation.CarbonGlacierCollectsPhonesandFundsforSoldiersByYMSSgtKelyshaJohnsonCarbonGlacierWATheCarbonGlacierYoungMarinesparticipatedinafundraiseronbehalfofCellPhonesforSoldiersInc.TheirmissionHelpOurTroopsCallHomebeganin2004toshowappreciationforthemenandwomenservinginournationsarmedforces.CellPhonesforSoldiersInc.isa501c3nonprotorgani-zationdedicatedtoprovidingcost-freecommunicationservicestoactive-dutymilitarymembersandveterans.TheCarbonGla-cierYoungMarinescollectedcellphonesandcashdonations.YoungMarineswereabletocollectmorethan2700and588cellphones.ThiswasanamazingeventsupportedbyT-mobileandtheNationalFootballLeaguesSeattleSeahawksthereigningSuperBowlchampions.FormoreinformationaboutCellPhonesforSoldiersgotowww.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.CarbonGlacierYoungMarinesassistedinanefforttocollectdonationsofcellphonesformenandwomenservinginthearmedforces.APartnershipThatBenetsYoungMarinesandElksByRonitaBrooksUnitPublicistEtowahValleyGAOnFebruary72014theEtowahVal-leyYoungMarinesplannedandexecutedanoutstandingcommunityoutreachwithaSpaghettifundraiserheldattheElksLodge1969inEuharleeGeorgia.TheElksLodgeisawonderfulsponsorforourvariousevents.OurYoungMarinesenjoyanyopportunitytohelpthemout.Thedinnerstartedat5p.m.andendedat7p.m.Platescost7andincludedspa-ghettisaladgarlicbreaddessertanddrinks.TheEtowahValleyYoungMarineswerestationedaroundthehallinordertogreetguestsorpackageupfoodwhileotherswereassignedtoassistinanywaytheycould.ThiseventwasagreatsuccessandoneIbelievewewillmakeanannualevent.Wemadeahealthyprotandhadawonderfulandfuntime.WeategoodfoodandourYoungMarinessetupandtookdowntheroomlikeprofes-sionals.TheElkslodgerequestedapicturewithusdemonstratingwhatweweredoingsothattheycouldsubmititforafuturephotocontest.LastyearweassistedthemwiththiscontestandtheywonfortheentireStateofGeorgia.TheEtowahValleyunitwassoproudtohelpthemout.WeappreciatehowtheElksLodge1969givesoftheirtimeandenergyandattimesnancialassistance.TheYoungMarinesalsohelpedoutbyeatingleftovercupcakeswhenthedinnerwasover.Welookforwardtocontinuingourhealthyrelationshipwiththelodgeandarehappytheyhaveadoptedourunitastheirown.MYYMUNIT YMsMeetanAussieByPatrickMcMahonUnitCommanderThreeRiversCTLastDecembertwoYoungMarinesfromtheThreeRiversunitmetanunusualAustralianvisitor.ThreeRiversAdjutantLauraMcMahonisascienceteacherfortheNorwichFreeAcademySachemCampusandrecentlyadoptedtwoAustralianBeardedDragonsnamedLeonandMatilda.OntheleftisYMGySgtPaigeLaFlammeontherightisYMPvtCam-eronMorseMatildatheAustralianBeardedDragonisinthemiddle.BothYoungMarineswerehesitantatrstbutsoonwarmeduptotheAussievisitor.ConservationRibbonSecondTimeistheCharm...ByYMGySgtMarshallMcIvorLewisandClarkWARecentlytheLewisandClarkYoungMa-rineshavebeenworkingtowardsearningtheConservationRibbon.Thisisourunitssecondattemptatgettingthisawardandthistimewehaveallbeenonpointton-ishalltherequirementsontime.Inordertoearnthisribbononaunitlevelittakesalotoftimededicationandorga-nizationalskills.Italsotakesagoodgroupofleadersandstafftohelpwithmakingsurethateverythingwillbecompleted.Ibelievethatthemostdifculttaskismakingsurethateverythingthathasbeendonehasbeenturnedinsoitisunderre-cord.ThisiseasilyaccomplishedwithagreatandorganizedgroupofjuniorseniorandadvancedYoungMarines.HopefullythesecondtimesacharmandwellearnthisribbonbytheendofFebruary.HelpwithHydrationattheAlwaysBrothersRunByYMSSgtKelyshaJohnsonCarbonGlacierWATheCarbonGlacierYoungMarinesprovidedawatertablealongtherouteoftheAlwaysBrothersRun.YoungMarinesprovidedwaterwettowelsandmostimportantlycheerstotherunnersastheypassedthroughEnumclawWA.ThenextmorningtheYoungMarineswelcomedtherunnerstothenishlineatCenturyLinkFieldthehomestadiumoftheSeattleSeahawks.TheYoungMarineswelcomedtherunnersinwithcheerswatersnacksandprovidedrstaidtotherunnerswhoneededit.ThegoalofthisAlwaysBrothersrunwastoraisemoneyforimproveddiag-nosticsandtreatmentfortraumaticbraininjuriesandpost-traumaticstress.AlwaysBrothersisafraternaland501c3organization.CarbonGlacierYoungMarinesposewithcheerleadersfromtheSeattleSeahawks.LewisandClarkYoungMarinesworkingoutdoorsinordertoqualifyfortheConservationRibbon.ESPRITPage11AfteralongfewmonthsofparadesfundraiserscolorguardsandcommunityserviceCarbonGlacierYoungMarinescelebratedwithanightoffuntogether.Fromalanddownunder...FunwithSunDogsByYMPFCAustinGammonCentralArizonaAZTwentyoneCentralArizonaYoungMarinesandtheirUnitCommanderattendedanArizonaSunDogshockeygamelastMarch.EarlierthatmonthourunitprovidedacolorguardandwerecitedthePledgeofAllegianceatalocalRepublicanPartywomensevent.ChillininWashingtonState Page12ESPRITByYMPVTGabrielRiveraWestoverMAImatenyearoldintheWestoverYoungMarinesprograminChicopeeMA.IlearnedaboutRedRibbonWeekthisyearanditwasthroughtheYoungMarines.IamhappythatIlearnedaboutstayinghealthybynotabusingdrugsordrinkingalcohol.IwatchedamovieaboutthelateDEAagentEnriqueKikiCamarenaatdrilloneday.Isawhowpeoplewhouseandsellil-legaldrugscanbeviolent.IlearnedthatIneverwanttoabusedrugsordrinkalcoholandIwasgoingtotellmyfriendstostayawayfromthemalso.Imadeapresentationto25childrenagesnineandteninmyclassatschoolduringRedRibbonWeek.Iexplainedhowdrugsandalcoholcanbedangeroustotheirhealthandurgedmyclassmatestostayawayfromthem.IthenexplainedwhatRedRibbonWeekwasandhowithonorsthememoryofKikiCamarena.IalsopresentedaslideshowandshowedthemaphotoofagentCa-marena.AlthoughIwasrestrictedtohowdetailedIcouldbeItoldhowhewaskid-nappedandslainbydrugdealersandhowhenevercamehomeagain.Ihadthempledgethattheywouldnotabusedrugsandtostayawayfromalcoholalso.IhandedoutredribbonsandbraceletssotheycouldrememberRedRibbonWeekandhowimportantitis.ThentheyaskedmequestionsandIwasabletoanswerthem.ThechildrenwereveryinterestedintheYoungMarinesprogramandwantedtoknowhowtojoinsoIexplained.IletthemknowhowgreatIthinktheprogramisandencouragedthemtotalktotheirparentsaboutit.IwasencouragedtojointheRedRib-bonWeekcontestandIamsogladthatIdid.Myfamilyhelpedmedecoratemyhousewithaposteraboutbeinghealthyanddrug-free.WesubmittedourphotoforRegion1andwewon.MyschoolVeteransParkElementaryinLudlowMAreceivedathousanddollarstospendtowardsdrugprevention.IreceivedaniPadAirwitharedcoversothatIcanalwaysrememberRedRibbonWeek.IamsogratefulthatIwasabletorepresenttheYoungMarinesinthephotoinmyuniform.IamproudthatIhelpedotherchildrenlearnaboutthedan-gersofabusingdrugsandalcohol.LearningandTeachingAboutRedRibbonWeekGabrielRiveraandhiswinningposter.ByJoeLusignanYoungMarinesDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerLotsofthingsgoingoninourprogrambutoneofthemoreexcitingthingsIseeasalawenforcementofceristheattentiontodrugdemandreductionthatourunitsarepayingallacrossthecountry.OurnewDDRCampaignwillbeorwillhavebeenunveiledatthisyearsAdultLeadershipConferenceandwereinhopesthatourYoungMarinespickitupandcontinuetoy.AsIreadanEspritMagazineandaboutalltheeffortsourYoungMarinesaremakingtryingtostemtheonslaughtofthisgarbagethatpeopleabuseandputintotheirbodiesImreassuredthattherearesomeyoungadultsouttherethathavetheabilityandthedrivetomakeadifferenceinourcommunitiesandinournationevenwhenitsnotpopularandthetideseemstoowagainstus.AsacopwhoswitnessedthedeclineanddamagetogoodkidsthatisbroughtonbydrugabuseIcannotsaythankyouenoughforstandingwithusinattempttostopthismadnessthatseemstoenvelopouryouthandevenouradults.Keepchargingyourock ESPRITPage13InspiringMiddleSchoolStudentstobeDrugFreeByYMSgtMajAlexLoriaColWesleyFoxVAEveryyearmyunitfocusesontheYoungMarinevaluesofbeingdrugfreeandes-peciallyaroundRedRibbonWeekwedoalottoreachourcommunityaboutdrugawareness.ThispastRedRibbonWeekmyunitde-cidedtodosomethingalittlebiggerandweputonwhatwecalledaFunRunWalkandRoll.Itwasaneventwherekidsfromthecommunitywouldcomeoutandrunwalkorrolldependingontheirphysicalability.Theywouldbeabletoparticipateandshowtheirsupportoftheanti-drugmove-mentandpledgetoleadhealthyanddrugfreelives.OureventwasaHUGEsuccess.Thosethatattendedlearnedquitealotaboutdrugstheireffectssafetyandhealth-relatedtopics.Theparticipantsreceivedprizesfortheirdedicationwhichrangedfromtrialmembershipsformartialartsacademiestogiftcardsforhealthyrestau-rantsalldonatedbylocalcompaniesinsupportofouranti-drugmessage.Ourunitalsolearnedalotaboutteam-workplanningandtimemanagementintheprocess.Welookforwardtorepeatingonthiseventnextyear.FunRunWalkandRollSpreadingAnti-DrugMessageYoungMarinesoftheColWesleyFoxunitsuccessfullypresentedaneventthatencouragedphysicalactivityandpromotedananti-drugmessage.ByYMSSgtKelyshaJohnsonCarbonGlacierWADuringRedRibbonWeek2013CarbonGlacierYoungMarinessoughtinvitationsfromlocalmiddleschoolstopresentDrugDemandReductioninformation.SSgtKelyshaJohnsonandCpl.RachelMilchakvisitedFirstCreekMiddleSchoolonTacomasEastsidetopresentTheBestMeisDrugFree.ThesetwoYoungMarinespresentedtothreelunchperiodsandwereinvitedintotwoclassroomstomaketheirpresentations.ThesetwoYoungMarineswereabletogetmorethan300middleschoolstudentstopledgetobedrugfree.Theyweregivenaninvitationtoreturnatanytimebecauseoftheamazingjobtheydid.AtFirstCreekMiddleSchooltheywereaskedforthepledgesheetssothatthesheetcouldbeplacedaroundtheschoolwheretheinformationwillinspirethestu-dentstoremaindrugfree.PortlandAPowerfulMessageAboutDrugAbuseByYMSgtCalebWalkerOregonCascadeOROregonCascadeYoungMarineshavedonemanyinnovativethingsinsup-portofourDrugDemandandReductionprogram.OvertheyearsIhaveheardmanyinterestingstoriesfrominstructorswhohavetaughtclassesonthesubject.RecentlyOregonCascadehadOfcerAn-gelOcasioandCadetChungofthePort-landPoliceDepartmentasourguests.ThesetwolawenforcementofcersgaveusaninsidelookatthestreetsofPortlandOregonandwhatoccursonalocallevel.Theybroughtusnewinsightsintohowdruguseaffectsourcommu-nity.OfcerOcasiomadeusawareofcommunityis-suesandhowasaYoungMarinesunitwecanhelpreducethedruguseinourcommunity.AllYoungMarinescanhelpbybeinggoodrolemodelsforourpeersandothers.PortlandAninsightfullessonaboutdrugdemandreductionfromlawenforcementofcers. ALunchtoHonoranIwoJimaVeteranByYMPVTM.MartinEmeraldCoastFLCorporalWalterSullivanwasinterviewedbyYoungMarinePrivateMartinHewasasurvivoroftheBattleofIwoJima.BobashelikestobecalledservedintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsfrom1944to1948.HevolunteeredfortheMarinesbecauseatthetimeitwasajobeverybodyhadtodoservetheircountry.BothofhisbrotherswereMarinesalso.BobwasintheinfantrywhichmeanshewasonthegroundandasweallknowtheMarinesaretherstonesinOnFebruary191945aspartoftheirisland-hoppingstrategytodefeatJapantheUnitesStatesinvadedIwoJima.IwoJimaislocatedhalfwaybetweenJapanandtheMarianaIslands.Itisavolcanicis-landshapedlikeatrapezoid.TheMarinesontheislanddescribeditasalargegrayporkchop.TheislandwasheavilyfortiedandtheMarinessufferedhighcasualties.Mt.Suribachia546foottalldormantvol-canicconeissituatedonthesoutherntipoftheisland.ThetopofMt.Suribachiisoneofthemostimportantlocationsontheislandbecauseofitsvantagepoint.TheJapanesefoughtmostofthebattlefromundergroundbunkersandpillboxes.IttookfourdaystocaptureMt.Suribachi.OnFebruary23rd1945around1020therstagwasraised.Becausetherstagwastoosmalltobeeasilyseenfromnearbylandingbeachesasecondlargeragwasraised.WhenthisagwasraisedthefamousphotographtakenbyJoeRosenthalwasusedtodesigntheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsWarMemoriallocatedinArlingtonVirginianearWashingtonDC.ThreeoftheMarinesinthephotographwerekilledinactionoverthenextfewdaysandthebattlecontinuedtorageun-til31dayslateronMarch26ththeislandwasdeclaredsecure.CorporalSullivanwasatthisbattleonIwoJima.Heremembersitasthebloodi-estbattleofWWII.Heearnedcombatribbonsforhisservicethere.BobwouldsuggesttoanyonethinkingofjoiningtheservicetojointheMarines.HesaysOnceaMarineAlwaysaMarine.WalterSullivanaveteranoftheBattleofIwoJima.ByYMSSgtJoshuaBorkaShiawasseeCountyMIFebruary142014Valentinesday.OnthisdaytheShiawasseeCountyYoungMarinestookatriptotheOliverWoodsVillageRetirementHomewherewegottomeetandthankalltheveteranstherefortheirservice.Wetalkedandtheytoldusstoriesoftheirlivesinthemilitaryandweservedthemwithgoodiesthankyoucardswarmblanketsandroses.Manyofthemhadgreatstoriesandalovablesenseofhumor.ButtherewasoneinparticularthatstoodoutasaMarineCorpsidoltome.HisnameisClayReeves.HefoughtintheBattleofIwoJimaandearnedthePurpleHeartandtheSilverStar.Whenwevisitedhimhewassoemotionalhecouldntspeak.Whenyoulookintotheireyesyoucanseethegloriouslifeinsidethemthebattlestheyfoughtthelivestheysavedandtheirjoytocomehome.Youjustcanthelpbutsmileandsharetheirhappiness.WhenthedaywasdoneandthestoriesweresharedIdidntwanttoleave.Ittrulyisaremarkablefeelingtobeapartofsomethingsomean-ingfulandworthwhile.ValentinesDayAnOpportunitytoThankVeteransShiawasseeCountyYoungMarinesvisitingveteransataretirementhomeonValentinesDay.HonoringACodeTalkerAYear-RoundHonorChandlerMustangsDesertandEastValleyYoungMarinesAZOnJanuary112014YoungMarinesfromthreeUnitsintheValleyoftheSunChandlerMustangsDesertandEastVal-leyalongwiththeOldBreedMarineCorpsLeagueDetachmenthadtheprivilegeofassitingNavajoCodeTalkerJoeKellwoodwithsomehomerepairs.Thedaywasacold69degreesaswewentinandhelpedthisWWIIherowithsomeneededcleanupandrepairs.At92Mr.KellwoodisoneofthefewremainingveteransoftheNavajoCodeTalkersanditwasaprivilegetobeabletobepresentandassisthim.OncethejobwasdoneMr.KellwoodstoodinfrontofthewholegroupandsungtheMarinesHymnintheNavajoLanguage.WhatanawesomedaythatwasASenseOfHONORYoungMarinesRememberandServeThoseWhoServedPage14ESPRIT OurVisittotheColoradoStateVeteransHomeByYMPVTEmilyNekhenzonMileHighCOWhenwewenttotheveteranshomeinFitzsimonsweplayedbingoandlistenedtothemtellustheirstories.IstartedoutattheBingoarea.Itwaslotsoffunthewholetime.IwashelpingtwoveteransAngieandJoe.TheydidnotwinanygamesuntilafterIleft.JoetoldmethathiswifepassedawayafterWorldWarII.ItoldhimthatIwasreallysorry.SowewentbacktoplayinguntilIleft.NextImetanotherveteran.HisnamewasalsoJoe.HewasbornonAugust31920.Joewantedtofollowhisdreamofbeingapilot.Ittookhimmanyyearstobecomeapilotbuthebecameone.Hehadaveryinterestingwarstorytotellus.Hewentouttoghtandhisteamhidintrees.WhentheotherteamcameJoedidnotknowwhattheotherteamwassaying.Battleactiontookplace.Whenitwasnishedtherewereonlythreemenalivefromhisteam.Alotofpeoplehaddieddur-ingthisbattle.AfewdayslaterJoewascapturedandsenttoaprisoncamp.Therewasnowayoutbutpeopletalkedaboutescaping.Joewasnotmarriedatthattime.Heonlyhadhisparentsbutyearslaterhewasmarried.WhenJoewasmarriedhewasverysickfromthewarhewasin.NowJoeswifeis95yearsold.Sheisblindandhasdifcultiesremem-beringlotsofthings.Joehas2sonsand3grandchildren.Histwosonsare52and54yearsold.JoeservedintheU.S.ArmyandtheU.S.AirForce.OneofJoessonslivesinCastleRockandtheotherinDenverhelpinghismomJoeswife.Joeis93yearsoldandisveryhealthy.Ireallylikedhearinghisstoryandhavingfunatbingo.ThesearesomeofthethingsIdidandlearnedattheColoradoStateVeteransHome.YoungMarinesofColoradosMileHighUnitgatherforagroupphotobytheChristmastree.AnEffortfortheGoodoftheCommunityandVeteransByYMMSgtKennedy-HeadrickLCplCalebPowersYoungMarinesVAAmericanshavemanyvaluesbuttheoneIholddeartomyheartisgivingbacktomycommunity.ItissomethingthatIhavebeentaughtallofmylifeandthatItrulybelievein.RecentlyIhelpedtogivebackbyhelp-ingmylocalVeteransofForeignWarsPost.Irepairedandrefurbishedthehandicaprampthatisinthefrontofthebuild-ing.Inaregularweekapproximately100disabledpeopleusetherampandithadfallenintodisrepair.IsawtherampwhileattendingmyYoungMarinemeetingsandapproachedthePostCommanderofferingworkonitforfree.ThepostcommandergladlytookmeuponmyofferandafterthoroughplanningIwassandingdowntherampandpowerwashingit.IhadagreattimebeingouttheregivingbacktomycommunityandhelpingmylocalVFW.IreceivedmanycomplimentsfromtheVFWmembersandotheroutsidesourcesontheworkbutIwouldtellthemitwasallforthegoodofthecommunity.IdontfeellikeIneedanythanksforitbecauseseeingthesmilesofdisabledveteranswhouseditwasenoughforme.ThemembersofthisVFWPostputtheirlivesonthelinefarawayonforeignlandtoensureourfreedom.GivingjustafewhoursofmytimeisonlyonesmallwayinwhichIcangivebacktothem.ThatisoneofthebiggestreasonsthatgivingbacktothecommunityismyfavoriteAmericanvalue.Youdontneedtoberecognizedandyoureffortdoesntneedtobeamazinglybig.Allittakesistoputyourhardworkandeffortintoataskfornothingmorethantohelpsomeoneelse.KaufmanCountyYoungMarinesLCplAndrewDudleyabovepresentstheAmericanagtoCherylMobleyCommandantoftheTerrellMarineCorpsLeagueattheMemo-rialDayServiceofTerrellVeteransPark.RightPFCTravisCalhounpresentedtheagofafallenveterantoCommandantMobley.Hefounditverymovingtobeabletohonorthisveteran.--SubmittedbyKimOsbornKaufmanCountyTXYoungMarinesESPRITPage15 HonoringMarinesLostin1946Mt.RainierAirCrashByYMSSgtKelyshaJohnsonCarbonGlacierWAOnDecember101946aU.S.MarineCorpsR4-Dtransportaircraftwith32MarinesaboardcrashedintotheSouthTahomaGlacieronMt.Rainier.WintersnowfallcoveredalltracesoftheplaneanditsoccupantswhowereprimarilyMarineswhohadjustcompletedbootcamp.InJuly1947followingseveralmonthsoffutileeffortstolocatethecrashsiteAssistantChiefRangerBillButlersightedthepartsofthewreckageatabout8500feetontheglacier.AmonthlaterthevictimsandotherpartsoftheplanewerelocatedbyRang-erButleratapproximately10000feet.DuetotheextremehazardsfromrockfallsandavalanchesfromthenearbyTahomaCleaverthatcouldendangeranypossibleattempttoevacuatetheremainsthebodieswerelefttobecov-eredbysubsequentwintersnows.ThefamiliesoftheMarineselectednottohavetheirremainsremovedfromtheMountainattheriskofmorelossoflife.PointSuccesstoweringabovethere-mainsbecameanappropriatehead-stone.FormanysubsequentyearsindeferencetoparentsandothersurvivorsofthevictimsmostofSouthTahomaGlacierwasdeclaredoff-limitstotravelandexploration.InmemoryofthoseMarinesastoneMemorialwasplacedatRoundPassonthewestsideoftheroadwithinsightoftheglacier.Duetotheconstantshiftingofthemountainitisnolongerconsideredsafetopayannualtributetothe32Marinesfromtheirmemorialsite.MovingthecurrentRockMemorialfromMt.RanierNationalParktothenewTahomaNationalCemeterybelowthemountainwasinitiallyconsidered.How-everafterdiscussionwithfamilymem-bersaswellasthelocalMarineswhoeachyearhavekepttheirmemoryaliveitwasdeterminedthatrelocationwouldtakeawaythemeaningbehindtheorigi-nalplacementofthemonument.InadditionitwouldtakeanactofCon-gresstomoveamemorialplacedinaNationalPark.TheDepartmentofWashingtonMarineCorpsLeagueinconjunctionwiththesurvivorsofthoseMarinesburiedonthemountainconductanannualmemorialceremony.WiththeestablishmentofaMarineCorpsLeagueDetachmenttheMt.Rain-ierDetachmentinEnumclawWashing-tonthemembersreceivedauthorizationtoduplicatetheMemorial.TheMemorialislocatedintheVeteransParkinEnumclawWashingtononhigh-way410leadinguptoMtRainier.NoteHighway410hasbeenre-namedtheAllAmericanHighwayandisnotedastheterminusorendpointofthePurpleHeartTrailAcrossAmericabytheOrderofthePurpleHeartAssociationoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.ByYMSgtMajAlexLoriaCol.WesleyFoxYoungMarinesVAMyunitisextremelyfortunatetobearthenameofaMedalofHonorrecipientColonelWesleyL.Fox.Serv-ingintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsduringboththeKoreanandVietnamwarsCol.FoxworkedhiswaynotonlythroughalloftheenlistedMarineCorpsranksbutmadehiswayupthechaintoretireasaColonelin1993.HewasawardedtheMedalofHonorbyPresidentNixonin1971forhisactionsintheVietnamWar.DuringOperationDeweyCanyonhewasrstwoundedintheshoul-derwhenhiscompanywasattackedbyalargeenemyforce.FoxatthetimeaFirstLieutenantpersonallyneutralizedoneenemyforceanddirectedhiscompanytoattacktheothers.Afterhiscom-panysExecutiveOfcerwasmortallywoundedhecontinuedtoleadthecompanyintheheatofbattleorderingairstrikesandcoordinatingtheadvanceuntiltheenemyretreated.Hewastheonlyofcerleftinhiscom-panycapableofleadingthenalchargeandwaswoundedagaininthenalas-saultbutrefusedmedicalattentionwhilehereorganizedhistroopsandpreparedthewoundedforevacuation.Col.Foxisagreatexampleofatruelead-er.Hecaredforhistroopsbeforehimselfandnevergaveuponthetaskthatcon-frontedhim.WeareproudtobearthetitleofthisgreatMarinelegendandappreciatetheopportunitytocontinuehislegacyinourYoungMarinesUnit.IencourageYoungMarinestoresearchyourunitshistoryandbackgroundsothatyoumaytrulyappreciatewhatthesenamesstandfor.SemperFidelisColonelWesleyFoxAMarineCorpsLegendPhotocreditNPSPage16ESPRIT ESPRITPage17ByGaryWeisbaumChiefMarketingOfcerAsweassembledforthe2014AdultLeadersConferenceALCinWashingtonDCwewerepleasedtoreportthatthevisibilityoftheYoungMarineshascontinuedtoexpandacrossthecountryandabroad.Sincetherstoftheyearbothnationalandlocalmediarespond-edtoournewpressinitiatives.TheIwoJimaReunionofHonorparticipationwithtelevisionprintandinternetexposureatanalltimehighwasespeciallywell-received.InadditionpressactivitiessurroundingtheYoungMarinesparticipationintheUnitedNationsConferenceinMarchandourmostrecentreleaseregardingthegrantfromtheAmeri-canLegionChildWelfareFoundationhavebeenpickedupbyasignicantnumberofmediaoutlets.ThesepresseffortswillcontinuethroughouttherestofthisyearandbeyondasweexpandtheYoungMarinesbrandacrossthenation.AndspeakingofbrandingoneofmyfavoritesubjectsatthisyearsALCweintroducedanumberofnewandupdatedYoungMarinesmarketingefforts.TherstisthecompletelyredesignedYoungMarinesWebsite.LaunchinginJunethenewYoungMarinesWebsitefeaturesanewlookexpandedhomepageinformationeasytousenavigationacomprehensiveUnitLocatorSystemandmuchmuchmore.AsapartofthenewFindAUnitsectionofthewebsiteYoungMarinesunitsnowhavetheirownUnitPagethatfollowsthenationalbrandguidelines.Thispagewillbemaintainedandupdatedbyyoutheindividualunitandwillfeatureannouncementsupcomingeventsawardsandotherunitinformationandactivities.AfullpresentationonthenewYoungMarineswebsitewasprovidedatthisyearsALC.WealsolaunchedthenewAdultUniformProgram.PropperaleadingmanufacturerofhighqualityapparelformilitarylawenforcementandpublicsafetyprofessionalsishandlingthisnewandexcitingprogramfortheYoungMarines.Samplesofthenewuniformitemsweredisplayedandproceduresforor-deringwerediscussed.IntheweeksfollowingtheALCeachunitwillreceiveaninformativemailingaboutthisprogram.AndifthelaunchofourYoungMarinesWebsiteandnewAdultUniformProgramwerenotenoughwearecontinuingoureffortstoreachouttoallunitsviaourUnitCapabilitiesSurveyandmarketingphoneappointments.Todatemorethan60YoungMarinesunitscompletedeithertelephoneoronlinesurveysregardinglocalmarketingcapabilitiesandmanyofyouhaveprovideduswithsomeoutstandinginformation.OurgoalistohearfromeveryYoungMarinesunitsoifyouhavenotcompletedtheonlinesurveyrecentlydistributedbyYoungMarinesUnitMarketingManagerJanelleJohnsenpleasegetitdoneGotohttpswww.surveymonkey.comsunit_marketingWeveextendedthesurveythroughJune162014.Ifyourunitwouldliketorequestaunitmarketingcalloryouhaveques-tionsaboutthesurveypleasesendourUnitMarketingMan-agerJanelleJohnsenanemaildirectlyatJanelle.johnsenyoungmarines.comAndnallyahugeshoutouttoourveryownIndyLightsracecardriverandhonoraryYoungMarineZachVeachandhisen-tireAndrettiRacingteam.AsofthiswritingZachhaswontwooftherstsixIndyLightsracesthisyearnished2ndinan-otherandstartedfrompolepositiontwiceWAYTOGOZACHTheYoungMarineslogoisprominentlyfeaturedonZachscarpitcrewuniformsequipmentandhisdriversuniform.ZachalwaysndsawaytomentiontheYoungMarinesineverythinghedoesandisanexcellentambassadorforourprogram.WewillcontinuetokeepyouupdatedonoureffortsandasalwaysIamhonoredtobeapartofsuchanoutstandinggroupofAmericans.DeliveringTheMessageThenewWebsiteandAdultUniformProgramleadourinitiativesthisyearYoungMarinesactivitiescontinuetointerestbroadcastandprintmediaTwoexcitingnewprojectswereannouncedatthisyearsAdultLeadersConference ByYMMSgtGageBennettGen.RaymondG.DavisMetroAtlantaGAMyuncleLymanHall1724-1790gradu-atedfromYaleCollegein1747.In1749hewascalledtothepulpitofStrateldParishnowBridgeportCT.Heservedasapreacherwhilehestudiedmedicineandtaughtschool.Hethenbecameaphysicianandlaterastatesman.HallwasoneofthethreeGeorgiarepre-sentativestothePhiladelphiaconventionwherehesignedtheUnitedStatesDeclarationofIndepen-dence.IndoingsomyunclewasamongtheveryrstAmeri-canstostandanddenetheidealsofthisgreatnationandsparkedtheRevolutionarywar.Followingthewarhebecamethe16thgovernorofGeorgiaandwhilegovernorhecreatedtheUniversityofGeorgia.Hediedshortlyafterhistermasgovernorattheageof66.HallCountyGeorgiaandthreeotherschoolsinGeorgiaarenamedinhishonorasareotherlandmarks.MyyoungerbrotherisnamedAthanHallBennett.AthanisalsoayoungMarineandispicturednexttoLymansstatueintheGeorgiastatecapital.AsbloodrelativesofLymanHallweareveryproudofourancestorandthelifeheled.WeareespeciallyproudthatheandotherAmericanpatriotsstoodupagainstaty-rantkingandthemightiestmilitarypoweronthefaceoftheearthatthattime.TherehavebeenahandfulofclergyinmyfamilytreeandImremindedofExodus347Keepingmercyforthousandsforgiv-inginiquityandtransgressionandsinbynomeansclearingtheguiltyvisitingtheiniquityofthefathersuponthechildrenandthechildrenschildrentothethirdandthefourthgenera-tion.HoweverIthinkDivineblessingsextendatleasttothesixthfatherbe-causeIhavebeentrulyblessedbymyunclesservicetohisGodandhiscountry.HesetanexampleforthefathersthatwouldcomeafterhimofservicetoGodcountryandcommunity.Asfarbackasmyfamilytreegoesmyancestorsservedinthemilitaryandotherswerehardworkingmenandwomenwhoservedtheircommunitiesasproductivecitizens.Mymotherandfatherhavehighexpecta-tionsofmeespeciallywhenitcomestomygradesandservicetosociety.IamblessedtoliveinahomewithatraditionalfamilysettingandwholesomeChristianAmeri-canvalues.IhopethatwhateverIbecomeIamabletoliveuptotheHallnameandfurthertheblessingstomyyoungersib-lingsandonedaychildrenofmyown.LymanHalldidgreatthingsandsethighstandardsandexpectationsforgen-erationstofollow.Myfatherisasuccess-fulbusinessmanandinhissparetimeisbusyservinghiscommunity.Hisfatherisa91year-oldpracticingattorney.Mygreatgrandfatherwasasuccessfulbusiness-manandallthreeservedtheircountryinthemilitary.Iwillproudlyfollowintheirfootsteps.MyuncleLymanHallsettheperfectex-ampleofhowonemancanmakealast-ingdifference.IthinkabouthimoftenbutespeciallywhenIthinkaboutmylifeandwhatliesinmyfuture.Becauseoftheinu-enceLymanHallhashadonmylifeIhaveassurancethatwherevermyroadleadsIwillbesuccessfulasaservanttomyGodandcountryandeventuallymywifeandchildren.MygoalistoonedaybecomeageneralsurgeonsothatIwillbeabletoextendlifesblessingstotheseventhgen-erationofLymanHallslegacy.FindingaRoleModelinMyGreatestUncleByYMMSgtKodiKennedy-HeadrickLCplCalebPowersYoungMarinesVATherearelotsofthingsthatAmericansholdclosetothemandconsiderasAmeri-canvalues.Thesecanbethingsthatareintangiblelikecourageortangiblelikeapplepie.Ijustrecentlyhadonesadyetamazingexampleofcouragedemonstratedtome.AYoungMarineinmyunitpassedawayfrombraincanceronNovember182013.ShewasandstillisoneofthemostbraveandcourageouspeoplethatIhavehadthepleasureofknowing.HernamewasJordanDuPriestandshefullyrepresentsthetitlehero.Jordanpassedawaywhenshewas12andhadbeenbattlingthecancerformorethantwoyears.Shethoughtshehadbeatitintosubmissionwhenthingstookaturnfortheworse.Hertumorsdidsomethingthatisveryrareandwrappedaroundherbrainstem.NowIknowifIwastoldthiswashappen-ingtomeIwouldhavebrokendownbutJor-danDuPrieststayedstrong.Shefacedhersituationheadonandwithextremecourage.Shespokeatschoolsinherareaatonly12yearsoldandbecameafocalpointintheareaforraisingmoneytohelpndacureforcancer.Inherlastfewmonthsshespokeattwoschoolsinherareaandinhernalweekssheraisedfourteenthou-sanddollarsforcancerresearchforvariousfoundations.ShewascourageousasanyotherAmericanhero.Shedidntexhibitthetypeofcourageittakestorunoutontoabattleeldbutsheexhibitedadifferentyetequallypowerfultypeofcourage.Jordanfoughtwithevery-thingshehadandwhenshefoundoutitstillwasntenoughshedidntgiveup.In-steadsheusedallofherenergytryingtohelpothersbyinspiringhopethatacureforbraincancerwillbefound.JordanDuPriesttouchedsomanypeopleslivesduringhershorttimewithusbuttoeveryonewhoknewhersheexhibitedthecouragethatAmericanpeopleholdsoclosetotheirhearts.JordanDuPriestAnExampleofAmericanCourageJordantouchedsomanypeopleslivesduringhershorttimewithusbutexhibitedthecouragethatAmericanpeopleholdsoclosetotheirheartsPage18ESPRIT ESPRITPage19ByYMSSGTEmmaLangleyLewisandClarkWATheCivilRightsMovementencompassedsocialmovementsintheUnitedStateswiththegoalofendingracialsegregationanddiscriminationagainstblackAmeri-cansandenforcetheirconstitutionalvot-ingrights.Thecivilrightsmovementwasaturn-ingpointinourcountryshistory.Itshowedthatnomatterhowoppressedapersonorraceisiftheyarewillingtoperseveretheywillbeabletoovercomeanything.Whiletherearemanyimportantdatesandactsofcivilresistancethattookplacebe-tween1955and1986IwillfocusonthreeofthemTheMontgomeryAlabamaBusBoycottwhichtookplacein1955thein-uentialGreensborosit-insinNorthCaro-linain1960andtheSelmatoMontgomeryMarchesin1965.TheMontgomeryBusBoycottbeganonDecember11955whenRosaParksre-fusedtogiveherseatonabustoawhitepassengerwhenthebusdriverJamesBlakeattemptedtoforcehertodoso.ShewasarrestedforhercrimeandvowedtoneveragainrideabusdrivenbyBlake.E.D.NixonthepresidentoftheNationalAssociationfortheAdvancementofCol-oredPeopleNAACPsawthisasanop-portunityforMontgomerysblackcitizenstochallengethepracticeofsegregationoncitybuses.AsaresultofthisboycotttheblackcommunitynallywontheirlongandhardstruggleonDecember201956whenthecitypassedanordinanceallow-ingblackbuspassengerstositvirtuallyanywheretheychoseonbuses.TheGreensboroSit-InbeganonFebruary11960.ThesewereaseriesofnonviolentprotestsaimedattheWoolworthDepart-mentStoresracialsegregationpolicy.Theybeganwhenfourstudentswerere-fusedserviceatalunchcounter.Whenaskedtoleavetheyrefusedandstayeduntilthestorewasclosed.Theamountofparticipantsgrewfromfourtomorethan300peopleinfourdays.Assit-insspreadaroundthestatemoreandmorepeoplebecameawareoftheirstruggleforequal-ity.Despitetheseeffortsthestoresre-mainedsegregateduntil1965.TheSelmatoMontgomeryMarch.AlsoknownasBloodySunday.This1965marchandtwomarchesthatfollowedmarkedthepeakoftheAmericancivilrightsmove-ment.AllthreewereattemptstomarchfromSelmatotheAlabamacapitolinMontgomery.TherstmarchtookplaceonMarch71965andbecameknownasBloodySunday.Sixhundredmarch-ersprotestingtheshootingdeathofcivilrightsprotestorJimmieLeeJacksonbyanAlabamaStateTrooperaswellasongoingexclusionfromvotingwereattackedbystateandlocalpolicewithclubsandteargas.ThesecondmarchwasheldthefollowingTuesdayMarch9thandresultedin2500protestersturningaroundaftercrossingtheEdmundPettusBridge.ThethirdmarchoccurredonMarch16.Themarchersaveraged10milesadayalongU.S.Route80knowninAlabamaastheJeffersonDavisHighway.Protectedby2000soldiersoftheU.S.ArmymembersoftheAlabamaNationalGuardunderFederalcommandandmanyFBIagentsandFed-eralMarshalsmarchersarrivedinMont-gomeryonMarch24andattheAlabamaStateCapitolonMarch251965.Intheendtheblackcommunitysuc-ceededingainingequalityandworkedtoeliminateracialsegregationintheUnitedStates.Ihopethatthisarticlehasmadeyouthinkabouthowevenwhenputupagainstim-possibleoddsyoucanstillstandupforwhatyoubelieveinandwin.AmericanValuesTheCivilRightsMovementTuskeegeeAirmenMontfordPointMarinesandHistoryByYMCplMariahHenkYMCplMaceBondandYMLCplCaseyBondSpeedwayINInobservanceofBlackHistoryMonthourunitwasinvitedtoattendameetingandawardceremonyfortheTuskegeeAirmen.AlthoughthetermTuskegeeAirmenreferstoallthemenandwomenblackorwhitewhowereinvolvedintheTuskegeeexpe-rienceIbelievetheoriginalTuskegeeAir-menweresquadronsofBlackpilotswhoewmanycombatmissionsduringWWII.ThesemembersoftheArmyAirCorpswereunfortunatelysegregatedbythelawsofthattime.Theywereeventuallyrec-ognizedassomeofthebestpilotswhoservedduringWWIIandformedthe323rdFlightGroupandthe477thBombardmentGroup.KnownastheRed-TailAngelsfortheredpaintonthetailsoftheirairplanestheyboastedsomeveryimpressivecombatrecords.OurUnitattendedameetingoftheTuske-geeAirmenonSundayFebruary23rd.TheguestspeakerwastheonlylivingTuskegeeAirmaninIndianaArthurCarterSr.AlsoatthismeetingwasoneoftheoriginalMontfordPointMarinesSgtMajWashing-ton.SgtMajWashingtonreceivedaCon-gressionalGoldMedalatthismeetingandourunitwitnessedthisexcitingmoment.TheoriginalMontfordPointMarinesweretherstAfricanAmericanstoentertheMarineCorps.TheseMarinesfoughtinWWIIandareanimportantpartofMarineCorpshistoryandUnitedStateshistory.ShortlyafterPresidentTrumanendedmili-tarysegregationin1948CampMontfordPointwasshutdownandlaternamedCampJohnsonaftertheMarineCorpsrstblackdrillinstructor.ThenumberofMontfordPointMarinesarequicklyfadingastheyearsgoonOurunitiscommittedtolearningasmuchaspossibletokeeptheirhistoryfreshinthemindsofyouthandadults.Wegivethankstoallveteransofourarmedforces.With-outyourstrugglesandyourtriumphsthiscountrywouldbeverydifferenttoday.SpeedwayYoungMarinesUnitCommanderDavidHulettaddsWewerehumbledbythepresenceofthesegreatmenandwerepresentwhenoneoftheMontfordPointMarineswasawardedaCongressionalGoldMedal.SeveralpeopleattendedthisceremonyandweatSpeedwayYoungMarineshad80ofourunitinattendance.TheYoungMarineswereatalossforwordsmeetingandtalkingwiththesemenaswasI.SeeingtheglimerintheireyesastheyspokewiththeYoungMarinesgavemeconrmationthatweweresupposedtobethere.AnIndianaStateRepresentativeKarleeMacerattendedandspentseveralminutesgettingtoknowthekidsaswell.ItwasaheartwarmingeventandIbelievewemadesomeeverlastingfriends.ThankyoutotheTuskegeeAirmenandtheMontfordPointMarinesfortheinvitationandwethankyouforyourserviceyoursacricesandforpavingthewayforsomany.IencourageeveryonetolearnaboutboththeMontfordPointMarinesandtheTuske-geeAirmentheyareanimportantpartofMilitaryandU.S.History.AnIndianaUnitwasInvitedtoParticipateinaSpecialEvent ByYMLCplWilliamSackmaryCapitalAreaTXTherearemanyreasonspeopleshouldjoinYoungMarinesinthisarticleIwillbeusingmybrotherandmyselfasexamples.Onereasonisthatsomepeopleareirre-sponsibleandgoofupalotasIdidwhenIstarted.Thisprogramhelpsyoungpeoplelearntopaymoreattentiontowhathasbeensaidaroundthem.Thiswaytheycanbemorepreparedforthefuturewhentheyhavetolistentoinstructions.Italsohelpspeoplewhoareeasilydistractedlikemybrothertostayfocused.PhysicalTrainingPTandmoreimpor-tantlythePhysicalFitnessTestPFTareactivitiesthathelppeoplewhoseendur-anceandstrengthislowerthantheywantittobe.Forthosewhosestrengthanden-duranceisgoodtheycaneasilykeepinshape.YoungMarineshelpsimproveyourgradestoo.Alsoyouwillnotbepromotedasquickly.MygradesarenowAsandBsYoungMarineshelpspeoplewhoneedtogainsomethingimportantinlifecalledpa-tience.Therearemanyyoungpeoplewhoneedeverythingrightaway.YoungMarineswillwaituntilyouarematureenoughtopromoteyou.FormaturitytheylookforfourdifferentthingshowpatientyouareyourgradesatschoolyourbehaviorathomeandhowwellyoupayattentionatYoungMarines.StillanotherareaYoungMarineshelpsyouwithisyourbehaviorathome.Theyaskyourmomanddadaboutwhetheryoudoyourchoresornotandifyourhomeworkisbeingdoneornot.Ifnotwellthatsbadbecauseitspartofyourpromotionboard.Duringthepromotionboardtheychal-lengeyouwithallsortsofdirectandindi-rectquestions.YoungMarinesdrillondiscipline.Alwaysgettodrillontime.Italsobenetspeopleaddictedtosugar.Ifthereissomethingsugaryinyourlunchyoueitherthrowitawayorputitaway.YoungMarinesisadrugandsmoke-freeorganization.Thismeanswehavelessonsaboutwhatdrugsandsmokingdotoyouthisisalsopartofyourpromotionboard.Welearnthatlotsofdiseasesarecausedbysmokingincludingblacklungandeven-tuallylungcancer.Allofthesideeffectsfromsmokingwillshortenyourlife.Drugswillalteryoursenseofreality.ThesefewareasofhelparewhyIjoined.WhatwereyourmotivestojoinYoungMarinesWhyAnyoneespeciallymylittlebrotherShouldJoinYoungMarinesLEADERSHIPTEAMWORKDISCIPLINEYoungMarinesonGettingWiththeProgramIThoughtIKnewitAll...ThatAllChangedByYMLCplFaithHoganLakeHavasuCityAZBeforeIstartedYoungMarinesIwasmeanIthoughtIknewitallandrarelylistenedtopeoplewhoweretryingtohelpme.Thatallchanged.TherstdayofrecruitclassIhadmyhairdownandmyshirtwasuntucked.Iwasthinkingtheycantmakemedoanything.ThenextweekIhadahorribleprogressreport.Ithoughtwelltheycantdoanything.Thepersoninchargeoftherecruitclasscalledafewpeopleoutoftheclassincludingme.Iwasthinkingyesextracredit.Itwasnotaboutextracredit.Ididntrealizethiswasaboutmyprogressreportuntilhestartedreadingmine.Weallhadtopush.ThenafewweeksafterIgraduatedIwasnotdoingverywellwithoneofthebulliesatschool.ThepersonwhowashelpingusYoungMarinespulledmeoverandsaidIknowwhatyouregoingthrough.Ifsomethingisbotheringyouyoucantellme.Iwilltrytohelp.ThenIrealizedIwasnotalone.MygradesweregettingbetterIwasnicerandIstartedtolistentootherpeople.Wehaveallcometoworkreallywelltogether.AfewweeksafterthatIrealizedthattherewasnoIinteam.Page20ESPRIT ESPRITPage21ByYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseOregonCascadeORTheYoungMarinesisaprogramfoundedonchanginglivesforthebetterandmineisoneofthem.Icanstillrememberbe-ing11yearsoldstandingatattentionconfusednervousscared.Atthattimetheideaofevengraduatingrecruittrain-ingandbearingthetitleofYoungMarineseemedallbutimpossible.Icouldnothavefathomedhowmuchthisprogramwouldtransformmeasanindividual.AtthattimeIhadlittletonoself-condence.Thethoughtofspeakinginfrontofacrowdofmorethan3peopleterriedmeandmarchinginastraightlinewasastretchofmyimagination.ImaturedthroughoutmymanyyearsintheprogramasIlearnedself-condenceandmyleadershipskillsincreased.IrecallattendingNationalJLSinVirginiaduringtheSummerwhentheheatandhumiditywassomethingIwasnotusedtobeingfromOregon.JLSwasmyrstSPACEStripandtheexperiencewasmotivatingIsawthebiggerpictureoftheprogramandthatgavemealong-termvisionformyYoungMarinescareer.TwoyearslaterIattendedtheNationalSLSwithavisionofreturningwithaper-fectPFTscorebeingthehonorgraduateandreceivingapromotiontoYoungMarineGunnerySergeantattheSLS.NoneofthosethingshappenedandIwasdevastated.Insteadoflettingtheapparentfailurede-termefrompursuingmyvisionIchosetoletitfuelmeinthecomingmonths.ThefollowingyearIwentbacktoCampPendletonVirginiafortheALS.Itwasthemostprofoundandhumblingtwoweeksofmylife.WithevenmoremotivationIworkedharderthanIthoughtpossibleofmyself.GraduatingsecondinmyclassandlaterbeinginvitedtotheNationalLeader-shipSymposiumduringOctoberwereun-forgettableexperiences.AsIreectbackuponmytimeintheprogramitisremarkablehowmuchIhavechanged.PublicspeakingisnowoneofmyfavoritethingstodoIpridemyselfonmycloseorderdrillabilitiesandIfeelcon-dentinmyselfatalltimes.Ourprogramisanoutstandingonetosaytheleast.AtransformationisvisibleineachandeveryYoungMarinewhoearnsthetitle.Isharemystoryasameansofin-spiration.Iamnotaoneinamillioncase.MyexperienceatSLStaughtmethatlikeeveryoneelseIwillfailatsomeofmyob-jectives.Ihavelearnedthatsomefailuresareinevitablebutyoumustnotallowthemtocontrolyourlife.Youmustacceptthatfailureisapossibilityandpressforwardregardless.Ifyourememberthisyoucanbemoresuccessfulinlifethanyouthoughtpos-sible.EditorsnoteYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseisthe2014NationalYoungMarineoftheYear.AYoungMarineonLearningtheImportanceofFailureBlakeDeWeeseleftandYMSgtMajIanSearchpriorDivision6YoungMarineoftheYear.LearningtoPayTributeandRespecttoOurNationalColorsByYMPFCSebastianDoddOregonCascadeORDuringaagretirementceremonytheagisfoldedinaveryspecialwaywithmuchsymbolism.Eachfoldhasitsownmeaningandwhentheagiscompletelyfoldedthestarsarehighlighted.ProperlyretiringtheStarsandStripesrequiresaagceremonywhichisusuallyconductedoutdoorswitharetoincineratetheag.Theceremonyrep-resentshonoringallwhohaveservedourcountryandthesacri-cesmadetocreateandpreservetheval-uesuponwhichourcountrywasfounded.December72013atourunitdrillweheldourannualagretirementceremo-nies.LikelastyearthedrillinDecemberwasontheMarineCorpsbaseonadayofaMarineCorpsReservedrill.InadditiontotheMarinesbeingtherewehadrepresentativesfromtheVeteransofForeignWars1stMarineDivi-sionAssociationandotherswhohadbroughtagstoretire.ThisyearIservedasamemberofthecolorguardduringthecer-emonies.AagretirementteamofveYoungMarinesconductedtheagfoldingandplacingoftheagsinaburnbarrel.Itwasahum-blingexperiencetobeabletoparticipateinthiseventandIamlledwithhonorandpridewhenseeingthecolorsproperlyretiredinthissolemnmanner.Retirementofaaghasastrongimpactonme.WhenitisbeingfoldedIen-visiontheagyinghighaboveourheadsandtheprideofthatagcarryingontothenewYoungMarines.IamproudtobeapartofthecolorguardteamduringtheseceremoniesbecauseIrepresenteveryonepayingthenaltributeandrespecttoournationalcolors.Iamflledwithhonorandpridewhenseeingthecolorsproperlyretiredinthissolemnmanner. Page22ESPRITByYMLCplJacobMobleyEastValleyAZOneofthemanyessentialprojectsneed-edtorunamartialartsdojoorschoolistheDemonstrationorDemoTeampre-sentation.ADemoTeamspresentationcanattractmanynewstudentswithproperplanningandexecution.Iwasgrantedtheopportunitytolearnthisprocessfromstarttonish.Iapproachedthistaskwithsomecon-dencebecausemyYoungMarinestrainingpreparesmeforthissortofchallenge.ThethreemajorpartsofthecreatingandusingaDemonstrationTeamareAdvertise-mentPlanningPracticingandExecution.Therststepadvertisingincludesan-nouncingitineveryclassthathaseligiblestudents.IthensetadatefortheDemoTeamspre-sentation.Thisdateneededtobeonadaythatnearlyeverymemberoftheteamandhisherfamilycouldattend.Saturdaysareusuallythebestdays.OnceIhadsignedupallstudentswhowerebeabletoattendthepracticesandthedemonstrationandhadsetthedateofthepresentationafractionofthejobwascomplete.Ourpreparationswereatangledwebofplanningandtraining.Thesesimultaneousprocessesformedthemostdifcultpartofthepresentationcycle.Aninstructorbe-ginsplanningwhenthepresentationdateisset.Howevertheinstructorhastoassessthestrengthsandweaknessesofthestu-dentsinordertoplanthepresentation.AstheinstructorIhadtochoosewhoworksbestinteamswhoworksbestaloneandwhowasgoingtoneedthemostworkinpreparingforthedemonstration.ThroughoutthisphaseoftheprocessIfo-cusedmytrain-ingofstudentsinafewbasicareashowtoentertheoorwheretheireyesshouldbecastwheretheywilllineupaswellasmanyotherfundamentalteamskills.Trainingwasthemostimportantstageofcreatingthedemonstrationwhilemyplanswereshakenturnedaroundandippedup-side-downtrainingofthestudentsiswhatultimatelydeter-minesifourdemonstrationwouldgowell.TheexcitingconclusiontoaDemon-strationTeamcycleisthepresentationitself.Whenproperlyexecutedthisstageisexcitingforboththeparticipatingstudentsandtheaudienceandsatisfyingforthetheinstructorandthemembersoftheteam.Nervousnessmayaffectsomeperfor-mancesbutproperlytraineddemonstra-tionteammemberscanalwaysfallbackontheirmartialartsskillsandinstinctstoseethemthrough.Monthsoftrainingandfrequently-changedplansallcometoanamazingconclusion.AllthatIwashopingforwhenIorganizedourdemonstrationwasforittonotendindisasterbutafterthreemonthsofpracticewedidfarbetterthanIhaddaredtohopefor.ThevaluesofteamworkleadershipanddisciplinetaughtintheYoungMarinesprovedtobeveryimportantateverystep.Mayanythatyouorganizedoaswell.AnOpportunitytoPlanaMartialArtsSchoolDemonstrationThreeReasonsIStayPrideRespectandDignityByYMLCplEmmaMortonOregonCascadeORSomemightthinkIjoinedtheYoungMarinesbecausemymotherisintheNavyandIwantedtomakeherproudbutnoIjoinedbecauseIwantedtobettermyselfandgrowintotheper-sonIwanttobe.IwanttogrowupandlookbackandsayWowIdidmyselfprettygood.KnowingthatIsetmyselfupforsuccessisagoodfeelingbutthatsnotthereasonwhyIstayintheYoungMarines.IstaybecauseofthepriderespectanddignitythatIfeel.TheadmirationyougainforyourselfandotherYoungMarinesisbreathtaking.Explainingthisfeelingtoothersishard.ItsdifculttoexplainthissenseofprideandadmirationyouhaveforyourselfwhenyouputontheuniformandyoulookatyourselfinthemirroryoutakeadeepbreathandjustsayWow...LookatyouLCplMorton.Youareadrug-freehealthywell-respectedYoungMarine.ThisfeelingisindescribableandthisiswhyIstayintheYoungMarines.MyFirstShotatBeinganAssistantRecruitInstructorByYMSgtMicennaBrooksEtowahValleyGATodaywasFebruary8thandtherstdayofournewrecruitclass14-01.Iwasveryexcitedbecausegirlpowertookovermeaningwehadninefemalerecruitsandtwomalerecruits.Thesenewrecruitswereverymotivatedwhichmadethisrstrecruitclassof2014moreofasuccessthanwecouldhavehopedfor.WechangedthemottopinkfromtheTNRegimentJuniorandSeniorLeadershipSchoolsandchangedittomottored.BytheendofthedayallwehadtosaywasthewordmottoandtherecruitsrespondedveryloudlyREDIwasoneoffourAssistantRecruitinstructorsandtheyoungestatage12andweallworkedtogetherasateam.Therecruitclasscontainedrecruitsfromages8to17soitwasachallengeforusbutwecraveachallenge.Althoughthiswasjusttherstdayitwasoneofmyfavoritedaysofmylife.IgottoteachtheCreedandObligationDittiesandmanyotherthings.IwillbesoproudoftheserecruitswhentheyhavegraduatedinAprilandcanweartheYoungMarinesuniformthatIproudlywear.IthinkIhavefoundmycallinginbeinganassistantrecruitinstructorandeventuallyafull-edgedrecruitinstructor.Sgt.BrooksoutwithMOTTOREDOOOOORRRAAAAHHH ESPRITPage23ByYMSgtDerekMasseyLewisClarkWAIamamazedwithandgratefulforhowmuchIhavegainedfromtheYoungMa-rinesprogram.Ithashelpedmeonthreeseparatelevels.Firstandmostimportantlyithasboostedmycondenceinabigway.Secondithashelpedshapemycharacter.FinallyithasprovidedmanyopportunitiesthatIneverwouldhavehadbefore.WhenIrstjoinedtheYoungMarinespro-gramIwasaboutasshyasanyonecouldbe.Iwastooscaredtospeakorsoundoff.Evenaftergraduatngfromrecruittrain-ingIstayedinthebackoftheplatoonandremainedquiet.AfterIhadbeenintheprogramforaboutayearmyPlatoonSergeantlefttotrainthenewrecruitcycle.SheputmeinchargesoIcouldgetusedtosoundingoffcallingcommandsandmarching.IwasnervousatrstbutafterawhileIbecamemorecondentandfeltmoreincontrol.NowIamalwaysreadytobeincharge.AsaresultofYoungMarinestrainingIamoverallabetterperson.Irespectpeo-plemuchmore.ForexampleIopendoorsforpeopleandsaysirormaamtoadults.IamabetterstudentbecauseIhavegainedalotofself-disciplinewhichhasenabledmetolistenworkhardandgetgoodgrades.Ivealsolearnedtoarguelesswithmyparentsandgetthingsdonewhentheyaskmethersttime.TheYoungMarinesprogramhasopenedupdoorsforme.BeforeYoungMarinesIhadneverbeenonaplanebeforeIewtoAviationChallengeinHuntsvilleAlabamaandmetalotofgreatpeople.OurunitewtoCaliforniawherewevisitedCampPend-letontheUSSMidwayandDisneyland.IvealsobeentoJuniorLeadershipSchoolmultipleovernightcampingtripsahugeaquaticcenterandtonsofotherevents.OverallYoungMarinesisagreatprogram.Ithelpsbuildcondenceshapesyourchar-acterandoffersmanydifferentopportu-nities.IcantwaittoseewhatthefutureholdsWhatIHaveGainedfromtheYoungMarinesProgramByYMLCplZahrianMinnerOregonCascadeYoungMarinesORBeingoneoftheeightfemaleYoungMa-rinesintheOregonCascadeunitIhavebeenaskedbyfriendsandfamilywhyhaveIbeenaYoungMarinesince2009.Theyveseenmebechallengedandpushedtomylimitsmentallyandphysicallyandwanttoknowwhatkeepsmegoingandkeepsmecomingback.WhenIwasyoungeritusedtobetheawardstheribbonsandtheideaofpromo-tions.NowIndwhatkeepspullingatmeandbringingmebackeveryweekendasidefromthefactthatthisismyextendedfamilyistheknowledgethatIamabletoteachmyyoungerpeers.Igetafeelingofsatisfactionandfullmentteachingthemtheconceptofourcorevaluesleadershipqualitiesandimportantlessonsregardingthebenetsofchoosingandmakingcorrectchoicesintheireverydaylives.IfeelasifIamabletogivebackwhatwasgiventomeandfeelcondentthattheknowledgeIampassingonwillimpactandempowerthemtohavethestrengthandcouragetostandupforwhatisimportanttothem.Iamveryclosetocompletingmyrequire-mentsforbeingaCorporalandlookingfor-wardtoattendingmyrstleadershipschoolduringmySpringvacation.AsIearnmoreleadershippositionsmyhopesarethatwhatIpassontomypeersandsubordinateswillprovidethemwithastrongfoundationfortheirfuture.WhyIAmStillInYoungMarinesLeftZahrianMinnerassistsduringaToysforTotsevent.ByYMSgtKevinChristensonOregonCascadeORInNovemberof2009amonthbeforemytwelfthbirthdayIjoinedtheOregonCascadeYoungMarines.IwasnervousandafraidIneverthoughtIwouldbewhereIamtoday.IhavelearnedmanynewskillshowtobealeaderandhavemadeeverlastingfriendshipswithotherYoungMarines.Ichangedfrombeinganintrovertedboywhodidnotwanttotryanythingbecauseofthefearoffailure.Ihadbeenhumiliatedsomuchinschoolthatmythoughtswereverynegative.NowIamawell-maturedsixteen-year-oldYoungMarinewhoisalwaysstriv-ingtobecomethebestateverythingItrytoaccomplish.IcouldnothavedonethiswithoutthetrainingandskillsIhaveacquiredthroughmypar-ticipationandserviceintheYoungMarines.IhavebeentoldthatIbringpeopletogether.Whetheritisworkingonaschoolassignmentoraccom-plishinganorderfromasupe-riorintheYoungMarinesIhavelearnedthevalueofteamwork.Iamlookingforwardtothenewopportunitiesthatarecominginmyfuture.IhaveforeverbeenchangedbymyexperiencesintheYoungMarinesandithap-penedinlessthanfouryears.YoungMarinesWhataDifferenceinLessThanFourYearsLeftKevinChristensonafewshortyearsagoandAboveKevintoday. Page24ESPRITByYMMSgtMichaelBorkaShiawasseeCountyMIIncommunitiesallovertheUnitedStatesthereisonegroupofvolunteersthatweallconsidertobeheroesandtheyarecalledFireghters.Everydaythereareoutofcon-trolresthatthreatenourlivesandthesegroupsoflocalvolunteersrisktheirlivestokeepussafe.InmysmallcommunityofSwartzCreekandMundyTownshipMIthesevolunteerreghtersnotonlyspendcountlesshourskeepingussafeoutintheeldbutinourschoolsaswell.Manyvolunteerreghtersgotothelocalschoolsandteachtheyouthhowtopreventresandhowtomakeare-escapeplan.JustbydoingthatIcon-siderthemtobeheroes.AfriendatmychurchisareghternamedTonyCurry.TonyhasbeenamemberoftheMundyTownshipFireDepartmentforeighteenyearssincehewasnineteenyearsold.Sincehewasachildhewantedtobeareghter.HesaidEveryopportu-nityIgotIwouldwatchtheretrucksgobyandvisittherestation.Iwantedtobeareghterallmylife.MuchliketheYoungMarinestheFireDe-partmentisabrotherhoodWereghtersarelikeafamilydoingourjobtoprotectthecommunityandhavefuninbetweenhesaid.Manypeoplemaybelievethatbe-ingareghterisahigh-stressjobandhardlyenjoyable.AccordingtoTonyitisjusttheoppositeofthat.IenjoybeingontheFireDepartmentverymuchasdotheothervolunteerreghters.WhenIwasyoungIwastoldthatbeingareghteryoueitherlikeandloveitoritisnotforyou.BeingontheFireDepartmentforeigh-teenyearscreatesmemoriesthatthevol-unteersdonotsoonforget.Mybestmem-oryofbeingontheFireDepartmenthastobedrivingthebigtrucksforthersttime...Notonlywasdrivingthetruckforthersttimefunandexcitingittaughtmeimpor-tantlessonsinresponsibility.Iwasrespon-sibletotheteamonthetruckforgettingthemtotheresandforthepeopleattheretokeepthemsafe.QuiteoftenvolunteermembersoftheFireDepartmentstayforaverylongtimeandareveryloyaltothejob.Tonyisaper-fectexampleofthisbeingontheteamforeighteenyears.Therearemembersthathavebeenthereformorethan25yearsaswell.Ifyouaskthemiftheywouldevencon-siderdoinganythingelseotherthanbeingreghterstheywillmostlikelyrespondthatbeingareghteristhebiggestpartoftheirlivesandfewcouldimaginenotbeingareghter.Volunteerreghtersoftendonatetheirtimeforotheractivitiesandgroups.TonyisamemberoftheGeneseeCountyHonorGuardprovidingcolorguardsforfuneralsparadesceremoniesandotherspecialoc-casions.HeisamemberoftheLindenLi-onsClubacommunityservicegroup.BothheandItakepartintheFeedingthe5000agroupofourchurchsmemberswhohelpfeedtheextremelyneedypeopleofdowntownFlintMichigan.Hegivesmuchofhistimetohelpingmultiplecommuni-tiesthroughoutthecountyasdomanyreghters.Foradultslookingtomakeadifferenceintheircommunitiestheroleofreghterishighlyrecommendedbythesevolunteers.Icannotthinkofmanybetterwaystohelpourcommunitiesthantoprotectthepeo-plefromblazinginfernoswaitingtostrike.Fireghters-TheHeroesofOurCommunitiesByYMGySgtDylanStrongNatchaugRiverCTIrecentlyhadtheopportunitytointer-viewoneofourlocalreghtersinordertolearnabouttheresponsibilitiesandmo-tivationsofarstresponder.HereissomeofwhatIlearnedfrommyinterviewsub-jectLt.KrisPedersen.QWhatisyournameandwheredoyouvol-unteerAKrisPedersenandIvolunteeratWil-liamsvilleFireEngineCompanyinCon-necticut.QWhatisyourpositionintherehouseALieutenantQWhatareyourqualicationsforthispositionAMymaincerticationsarebeingFireFighteronetrainedanEMTHighAngleRopesRescueTechnicianandaTacticalFireOfcer.QWhatisyourfavoriteandleastfavoritepartaboutvolunteeringAFavoriteCommunityserviceandthefactthatbeingareghterislikeabandofbrotherhoodwiththeotherreghters.LeastfavoriteSinceyourealwaysoncallyoudontknowwhenyouwillbeneededorwhatyouwillbefacingTheyrenotalwaysthenicestcalls.QWhydoyouvolunteerABecauseIloveitanditslikeabrother-hoodwhereeveryoneistrusted.QHowdidyoustartvolunteeringAImovedintotownandseveralfriendswereontheFireDepartmentandsug-gesteditforme.QHowlonghaveyouvolunteeredA14yearsQWhatwasyourbestandworstexperi-enceABestEverycalloffersauniquechal-lengethatkeepsyoulearning.WorstSomecallsareworsethanothers.QWhatdoyoudotoprepareforanemer-gencyAWedrilleveryweekpracticingwhatwedoandwehavetore-certifymostqualications.QHowdoyoufeelyouhaveinuencedorplantoinuencethecommunityespeciallytheyouthAWhenwerespondtocallsespeciallywithyouththeprofessionalismthatIcarrysetsatonethattheyouthwouldadmireorlookupto.QDoyouhaveanyplansforthefutureinvolunteeringAIplantostickwithitandlearnnewthings.AnInterviewwithaVolunteerFirefghterYoungMarinesareoftentoldthatrespectissomethingthatisearnedandfewdomoretoearnrespectthanthemenandwomenwhoserveasFirstResponders.TwoYoungMarinesprovidesomeinsightsgainedwhentheypreparedthesestoriesaboutreghtersfromtheircommunities.CODE10-70 ESPRITPage25ByYMGySgtLucasJ.WardMidwestCentralILInNovembercentralIllinoiswaspum-meledbyaseriesofveryviolentandunex-pectedtornadoes.Whatyoumaynotknowisjustwhatkindofeffectthatsortofdisasterhasonacom-munityandonindividualsdirectlyandin-directlyinvolvedinthestorm.Mostofushaveprobablyseenthosebreakingnewsshowsthatcutintoourfa-voriteshowstellingusofsometowninsomestategettingleveledbyatornado.Youseeeveryonetalkingabouthowhor-ricitisthewayitsoundedlikeatrainandalltheotherclichthings.Youmakeasilentremarkabouthowsadthatisandhowyouwishthebestforthepeopleaf-fectedandyoumoveonwithyourlife.IknowthatishowIalwaysworked.SureitishorriblebutwhatcanwedofromsofarawayWeallheardaboutplaceslikeJoplinMissouriandMooreOklahoma.Butthesearealljusttownswehaveneverheardofbeforethis.ThenanothertownwasaddedtothatlistWashingtonIllinois.IknowtosomeofyouthisisjustanotherdisastersomewhereintheUnitedStatesbuttousitwasnot.ThecityofWashingtonisabout40milesawayfromthetownIliveinandonly10milesfromMortonthetownwherewenormallyconductourdrills.SeveralYoungMarinesinourunitliveinWashington.Werushedtohelpout.Wespentanentiredayinacorneldpickingupdebrisfromthehousesthathadbeenshredded.AsIde-scribedtomyfamilyandfriendswespentthedaypickingpeopleslivesoutofthefrozenmud.ItwasabsolutelyfrigidbutweenduredasYoungMarinesalwaysdo.IdontevenknowonewordtosumupallofthethingsIfeltasIwalkedthroughthoseelds.Idontthinksuchawordevenexists.Itwashorrictoseethekindsofdamagethatyouseeonthenewsinfrontofyou.Itissomehowdifferentwhenyouphysicallylookintoagarageandseeouttheothersidetoseesomeonewalkuptheirstaircasetonowheretoseeabat-teredandruinedcarthrownthroughahouseasifitwereatoy.Itisamazingandinspiringtoseethewaythewholecommunitypullstogethertogivealittlebitbacktoacommunitythathasgivenussomuch.Itisweirdtodriveintotownfromonewayandseelifegoingonasnormaleverythingperfectandpris-tinedriveablockandbesurroundedbytheremnantsoftornhousesandhavedebrispiledhighoneachsideoftheroadthendriveanotherblockandseetheperfectlytrimmedgrassofanupscaleneighborhoodmerelyablockawaythatisuntouchedbythehorrorsofthenextstreetover.WhatImgettingathereYoungMarinesisthatyoushouldneverunderestimatethedamagedonebytheseamazingnaturaldi-sasters.Howeveralsoneverdoubtorunderes-timatetheabilitiesofyourcommunitytopulltogetherandgivesomuchtopeopleinneed.Volunteerspouredintotheareaandmorewillbeneededastheweatherallowstheclean-upeffortstoresume.My6thhourBiologyclassaloneraisedmorethan150injustthreedays.T-shirtsbeingsoldforthesupportofWashingtonwereonback-orderwithinhoursoftheirrelease.Taketheselessonsofgenerosityandser-vicetocommunitytoheartYoungMarinesandusethatinyourowncommunitynotonlyintimesofcrisisbutallthetime.Thankyou.SemperFidelisYoungMarinesAssistIllinoisTornadoReliefEffortsAnAdultProudtobeAssociatedwithYoungMarinesByTerriLoriaRegisteredAdultLeaderColWesleyFoxVAItisaprivilegeofeveryUnitCommanderandregisteredadulttobepartofapro-gramthatprovideskidsopportunitiestheywouldnotndelsewhereinschoolclubsorevenothersocialorganizations.InmyeighthyearasaRegisteredAdultIhaveseenmanychangesbuttheonethingthatremainsconstantisthesenseofac-complishmentpridecondenceandlifeskillsthatareavailabletoyouthswhotakeadvantageofthewondrousexperiencesprovidedbythehighercommandersandtheHeadquartersstaff.LastNovembertwoYoungMarinesfromtheColWesleyFoxunitstoodwithinfeetofthePresidentsawtheFirstLadysmileatthemandknewtheyweretheonlytwoyouthmemberswhowerepartoftheVet-eransDayceremoniesatArlingtonNation-alCemetery.Notonlyweretheypartofthefestivitiestheyledalloftheotherparticipantsintotheamphitheaterwhothenledalong-sidethewallswhilethesetwoyoungmenmovedforwardtotaketheirpositiononthelowerstagebeforeapackedaudience.ThisrequiredcondenceandcouragebothqualitiesinstilledbytheYoungMa-rinesprogram.MomentslikethesemakememoriesofalifetimenotonlyfortheyouthmembersbutshouldalsomakeRegisteredAdultLeaderseverywhereproudtobepartoftheYoungMarinesprogramaswell.YoungMarinesfromtheColWesleyFoxunitserveatVeteransDayceremoniesatArlingtonNationalCemeterybeforecrowdsanddignitariesassembled. ByJamesRobertsAdultVolunteerUpstateSCOnehundredtwentyAmericanagsutterinthesteadybreezeastheyalignamean-deringroadleadingtotheevententrancewhichisunmistakablewith2laddertrucksproudlystandingguardandsuspendinganenormousAmericanagoverhead.GraycloudsrefusetodissipateSantawavesandposesforpicturesthelowroarofmorethanathousandmotorcyclessteadilyllstheair.Thewarm-heartedsmilesandsenseofgoodwillisnotdeterredonthisSaturdaybecausethisSaturdayisspecialtheUpstateYoungMarineshavepartneredwiththeMarineCorpsReserveandHarleyDavidsonGreen-villefortheannualToysforTotscollectionofnewunwrappeditems.Twenty-twoYoungMarinesandsixreg-isteredadultsarebusypackinguptheoverwhelmingamountofcontributions.A7-tonmilitaryvehiclehasstuffedanimalsboardgameselectronicsandvariousothertoyspiledtothetop.OurcommunityhasjoinedtogethertoinsureChristmasmorn-ingintheGreenvilleSpartanburgAnder-sonareaincludesnewtoysforchildrenaswellasamessageofhopefortheirfami-liesBetterdaysaheadbutfornowHappyHolidaysPage26ESPRITUpstateYoungMarinesHopefortheHolidaysUndercloudyskiesUpstateYoungMarinesassistedincollectingToysforTots.ByYMSgtTommySillOregonCascadeORTheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsofciallyadoptedToysforTotsin1948expandingitintoanationwidecommunityactionproj-ectastheU.S.MarineCorpsReservesToysforTotsProgram.AnnuallyduringDecem-bertheOregonCascadeYoungMarinesunitvolunteerstohelpMarineswithToysforTots.December212013wasanespeciallybusydaybecausetheMarinesweresur-prisedwithverylargelatedonationsoftoysandsuddenlyneededmoreassistancethanusualwithonlyfourdaysleftbeforeChristmas.BecausetheOregonCascadeYoungMa-rinesdrillattheNavyMarineReserveCen-terandhadscheduledadrillinordertobeavailabletohelpifneededonthe21sttheYoungMarinesrespondedwithenthu-siasm.ShiftsofsixtoeightYoungMarinesworkedtwotothreehoursthroughouttheday.YoungMarinessorteddonatedtoysintolargeboxesbaseduponageandwhetherthetoywasappropriateforaboyorgirl.YoungMarinesalsohelpedloadtheboxesoftoysintotrucksandothervehiclesofthecommunityorganizationsthatweredis-tributingthemtochildren.ItwasanhonorforourunittohelptheMarinesinsuchanoblecauseandeveryYoungMarinetookprideinthethoughtthattheywerehelp-ingtomaketheholidaysbrighterformanychildren.YoungMarinesAssistOregonToysforTotsEffortToysforTotsCarbonGlacierHelpsSortitAllOutByYMSSgtKelyshaJohnsonCarbonGlacierWATheCarbonGlacierYoungMa-rinesparentsandstaffteamedupwiththeMarineCorpsLeagueDetachment504andthePierceCountyCrimeStopperstosortandpackageToysforTotsinDecember2013.LeftYoungMarineslistentoinstructionsbeforesortingandpackingtoys.RightTheteamtakestimeouttoposeforagroupportrait. ESPRITPage27ByKeithHaganUnitCommanderWashingtonCountyPAOnOctober312012YoungMarineLCplKeatonMeerdoage14andhissisterBricelynage18saidgoodbyetotheirpar-entsandgotintotheircartogotoschoolastheyalwaysdo.Thisdaywaspar-ticularlyexcitingforKeatonwhowasproudlywearinghisYoungMarinesuni-formforaschoolproject.AfewminuteslaterthephonerangattheMeerdoresi-dence.Itwasanun-knownfemalewhowascallingonbehalfofBricelynwhowasjustinvolvedinanaccident.TheMeerdosarrivedonsceneevenbeforeanyemergencyequipmentarrived.ThevehiclecarryingKeatonandBricelynwasinvolvedinahead-oncollisionwithanSUV.ThedriveroftheothervehiclewasnotinjuredbuttheMeerdochildrenwerenotsolucky.ThecarthatKeatonandBricelynwereinwasanoldermodelnotequippedwithairbags.AsCrystaltheirmotherarrivedonsceneshefoundbothofherchildrentrappedinthewreckage.Crystalwhoisalsoanurserushedintoactionandutilizedherskillstotriageherchildrenandattempttocalmthem.Bothwereconsciousbutseriouslyinjured.Ittooknearlyanhourforrstrespond-erstofreethechildrenfromthewreckageandloadthemaboardwaitingmedevachelicopters.WhileinighttoChildrensHospitalinPittsburghBricelynwasstabi-lized.Herinjuriesincludedmultiplefrac-turesincludingaseverecompoundfrac-tureaswellasinternalinjuries.Keatonlostcon-sciousnessshortlybe-foretakingightandhadsevereinjuriestohisextremitiesandin-ternalorgans.WiththeirchildrennowintransitparentsCrystalandBobMeerdonowhadtotaketheagonizingonehourdriveintoPitts-burghunawareofthefateoftheirchildren.AstheyarrivedinPittsburghtheyweremetwithmixeddiagnosesBricelynwouldsurvivebutwouldrequiremultiplesur-geriesandrehab.ConcerningKeatontheyweretoldtopreparefortheworst.BobMeerdorefusedtoacceptthatknow-ingthatKeatonisaghterwhowouldntacceptanythingshortofacompleterecov-ery.Heknowshisson.Thedoctorsdidnt.TwoweeksaftertheaccidentwhileBricelynwasrecover-ingKeatonwasstillunconscious.Bythistimeallofhisinjurieshadbeentreatedexceptforonehisbrokenneck.Theextentofdam-agetohisspinalcordhowevercouldnotbedetermineduntilandifhere-gainedconsciousness.Thenthesmall-estyetbiggestmiracletookplace.Keatonopenedhiseyes.Whileheonlydidthisafewtimesoverthenextfewdaysitwascauseforhope.Inthedaysthatfol-lowedKeatonopenedhiseyesmoreoften.Hebegancommuni-catingbyblinking.Aquickblinkmeantyesandholdinghiseyelidsclosedmeantno.Hecouldseehecouldhearandhecouldcommunicate.Hewasintherejustwaitingtobustout.Buthestillwasun-abletomoveanythingotherthanhiseye-lids.WithhissisterBricelynnowinanurs-inghomeKeatontofacedhismostserioussurgery.Theplanwastofusehisbrokencervicalvertebraeanddeterminetheex-tentofdamagetohisspinalcord.Aftera14-hoursurgerysurgeonsinformedCrys-talandBobthatKeatonsspinalcordwasnotsev-ered.Itwassuspectedthathisspinalcordwasjuststretchednotbrokenanexceptionallyraresituation.ThedoctorsbelievedthatKeatonsparalysiswasduetothesevereswellingaroundhisspinalcord.Howevertheywerenotsureiftheparalysiswoulddisappearastheswellingeased.ButthistoughYoungMarinewasnotdoneghtingyetThingsbeganimprovingdailywithmorehopeateveryturn.Awiggleofatoeaslightsqueezeofhisdadsngerresponsetostimuliateveryextremity.Buthestillcouldnttalkthoughhedesperatelyhadalottosay.SohisparentsbegansayingthealphabetandKeatonwouldspelloutsen-tencesbyblinkinghiseyeswhentheyhitaparticularletter.AftermonthsinanICUbedKeatoncon-tinuestoimprove.Unfortunatelythistragedyhashaddev-astatingeffectsontheMeerdofamilyinmanyways.BothCrystalandBobhadtotakeleavesfromworkinordertocarefortheirchildren.TheWashingtonCountyYoungMarineshavebeendoingallwecanforthefamilyasbothBobandCrystalhavebeenavitalpartofourunitformanyyears.WehavecollectedfundsdoortodoorinordertohelptheMeerdofamilyasmuchaswecan.Howeverwerealizethatourcontributionswillonlymakeasmalldentinthemountingmedicalexpenseswhicharesuretobeinthemillionsofdollars.AnUpdateasof32814BricelynMeerdowasreleasedfromthehospitaltooutpatientrehabbutthisweekwhensheexperiencedseverepainitwasContinuedonpage28YoungMarineCriticallyInjuredinHorricAccidentYoungMarineLCplKeatonMeerdoandinsethissisterBricelyn.TheirdaughterBricelynwouldsurvive...ConcerningKeatontheyweretoldtopreparefortheworst. Page28ESPRITByJosephBlesYoungMarinesInspectorGeneralThe2013-14wintermonthsseemedtobealmostendlessbuttheywillend.Thesafetytipisnottojumpintospringtooquickly.Yoursaferandbetterbetistoeaseintothewarmerweather.Doingsowillpreventcoldsuandotherassortedbugs.AsIwritethisIcantwaitfortheseasonchangeatthesametimeIwanttomakecertainthatourYoungMarineswillenjoyittothefullest.InspectorGeneralsSafetyTipThatEndlessWinterof2013-14DrugsintheNewsDeathduetoHeroinByJosephBlesOnFebruary112014theWashingtonPostrananarticleentitledHeroinItfeltsogoodthenanoverdosealmostkilledme.ButIcouldntmakemyselfstop.WiththedeathofactorPhilipSeymourHoff-manduetoaheroinoverdosewelearnedofanextraordinarilytalentedactorusingdrugstocuthislifeshort.Mr.Hoffmantoldinterviewersthatasayoungermanhehadtriedallsortsofdrugsandtwicewentintorehab.Helosthislifetoaheroinoverdose.ThemessageissimpleandclearDontstartwithanydrugsperiod.ByYMLCplJacobMassengillSoutheastCountyCAObesityisamedicalconditioninwhichexcessbodyfathasaccumulatedtotheextentthatitmayhaveanegativeeffectonhealth.ObesityisamajorproblemintheUnitedStates.In201035ofadultsand17ofchildrenwerereportedobeseaccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.Obesityincreasesthechancesofgettingvariousdiseases.Mostpeopledonotknowthatifyoureobeseyouhaveahigherchanceofgettingheartdiseasetype2diabetescertainkindsofcancerandobstructivesleepapnea.Obesityalsocancausepermanentdamagetoyourbodythatcanonlybefxedwithsurgery.WhatcausesobesityBelieveitornotitsthesamethingthatcancureit.Eatinghabitsandphysicalftnesscanhavegoodorbadeffects.Obesepeopletendtobecomeobesebe-causetheyusuallyeatexcessivelyandordontworkoutenough.Usuallypeoplethatarentobeseworkoutafairamountandeatareasonableamountoffood.SoifobesepeoplestartedtoeatalittlelessandworkoutalittlemoreeachdaythatpersonmightbeabletoovercometheirobesityObesityisverydangerousandcommonandapublichealthis-sue.Obesityisnotajoke.Itcanandmaykillyou.Obesitycanin-creaseyourchancesofcertaindiseasesanditshouldbeavoided.MyadviceforanyoneistowatchyourdietObesityADangerousButCommonConditiondiscoveredthatshehadaveryseriousin-fection.YoungMarineMeerdocontinuesthegoodfght.Hehasbeenmovedtoarehabfa-cility.WhileKeatonisstillunabletobreatheonhisownorspeakhismotorskillsareim-proving.WhenIstoppedbytoseehimrecentlyhestruggledinabraveattempttosaluteme.Keatonhasletusallknowthatherefusestorideawheelchairoutoftherehewillwalk.Tothatendhewasfttedwithspeciallegbracestohelphimstand.Itdoesntseemlikemuchbutheactuallytookafewstepswiththehelpofstaffwhoheldhimup-right.Keatonsfnalprognosisisstillhope-fulbutunknown.Thecurrentconcernisthathehasfacialnervedamagewhichhaslefthimwithsightproblemsandunabletomakeanyfacialex-pression...butifIknowKeaton...heissmil-ingRecentlytheWash-ingtonCountyYoungMarinesheldahugespaghettidinnerfun-draiserfortheMeerdofamily.Theeventwasagreatsuccessraisingmorethan10000fortheMeerdofamily.WashingtonCountyYoungMarinesaskYoungMarinesfamilieseverywheretoprayforourYoungMarineandhisfamily.Thosewishingtocontributemaydosoathttpwww.gofundme.com54yoa0.AdeterminedYoungMarineworkstoovercomeparalysis.DavidWhiteCommandantofWashingtonCountyDetachment1138MarineCorpsLeaguepresentsachecktoRobertMeerdoleftfatherofYMLCplKeatonMeerdo. ESPRITPage29GraduationsandSpecialAchievementsAMatterofPrideByLizaMorrisonSeafordDEItiswithgreatpridethatIannounce10ofour15YoungMarinesqualiedforPresidentialServiceawards.Inaddition5ofour6RegisteredAdultsalsoqualied.TheywerepresentedtheirawardsbyStateOfcialsonSaturdayMarch12014ataPastaDinner.ThefollowingYoungMarinesandRegisteredAdultsearnedBronzePVTDesireeRayPVTArieannaODonnellPVTJasonBaullPVTNikalesJosephLCplBrittanyHandyRegisteredAdultKathrynTulleyThefollowingYoungMarinesandRegisteredAdultsearnedSilverPVTRalphKo-PalomboPFCAnastasiaKo-PalomboPFCHaileyEvansPVTDamianGumRegisteredAdultFrankTulleyRegisteredAdultJanetMasseyThefollowingYoungMarineandRegisteredAdultsearnedGoldSSgtRichardPopeRegisteredAdultSeanMorrisonUnitCommanderLizaMorrisonNoteTheSeafordYoungMarinescombinedhoursofservicetotalledslightlymorethan3004hoursaremarkableachievement.CongratulationstoallournewYoungMarinesandtoallthosewhotaughtandnurturedthem.GoodWorkUnitKaufmanCountyTXDateAugust102013UCKeithChapmanHonorgradTravisCalhounUnitShiawasseeCountyMIDateOctober192013UCRobertBorkaHonorgradEricCunninghamUnitThreeRiversCTDateDecember82013UCPatrickMcMahonHonorgradIsabellaNaragonUnitEastCerntralAlabamaDateJanuary262014UCDanLongHonorgradAidanQ.PaulJuniorandSeniorLeadershipSchoolGraduatesEasternMountainhadfourYoungMarinesCplConnorDulahntyLCplZacharyLandisLCplCollinDulhantyandLCplHaydenSkeensgraduateJuniorLeadershipSchoolandthreeYoungMarinesSSgtTannerGrimesSSgtKyleeFeemsterandSSgtShaniaHalversongraduateSeniorLeadershipSchoolattheGrandCanyonRegimentLeader-shipSchoolonJanuary262014alongwithreceiving11personalawards.SSgtKyleeFeemsterreceivedSeniorLeadershipSchoolHonorGraduateandSSgtShaniaHalversonreceivedMollyMarine.SPECIALACHIEVEMENTSYoungMarinesachievingPerfectPFTScoresYMCplEthanLundyPensacolaFLYMGYSGTShaniaHalversonEasternMountainAZYMCPLZacharyLandiEasternMountainAZUnitBearCanyonNMDateFebruary102014UCNotSpeciedHonorgradNotSpeciedUnitPensacolaFLDateMarch22014UCPeteBelangerHonorgradJoeCarrollIIIUnitSwansboroNCDateApril112014UCDanaCozzensHonorgradShawnJonesThefollowingWestoverYoungMarineshavebeenawardedPresidentialServiceAwardsYMCplVictoriaVreelandGoldLevelYMPVTYazlynnMoralesGoldLevelYMPVTJulianJacqueGoldLevelYMLCplBenjaminMichalakSilverLevelYMPFCWilsonSantiagoSilverLevelYMLCplDianaKolosovSilverLevelYMLCplBrandonBassSilverLevelYMMSgtRossHughesBronzeLevel--SubmittedbyEdwardMitrookThefollowingCarrollCountyYoungMa-rineshavebeenawardedPresidentialServiceAwardsYMMSGTJosephAmbsGoldLevelYMSGTNicolasMonteleoneGoldLevelYMLCPLMikeNeuenhoffGoldLevelYMMSGTMattOBrienGoldLevelYMSGTTonyPlumerGoldLevelYMLCPLScottSmithGoldLevelYMCPLPatrickRegimbalBronzeLevelYMPFCHunterOlshefskiBronzeLevel--SubmittedbyLucyAmbsYMPVTNoahJonesEasternMountainAZYMLCplAustinReedSpeedwayINYMSSgtCodyGurleySpeedwayINMoreUnitsandMoreServiceInFebruaryCarbonGlacierYoungMarinesgratefullypresentedSgtRobertFetchourformerTrainingOfcerasmalltokenofappreciationuponhisretirement.SgtFetchwasgivenanengravedplaquewiththenamesandranksofYoungMarineshehelpedtotrainandmentor.ItwaswithgreatappreciationandadmirationthatSgtFetchwasgivenchallengecoinsfromthepersonalcollectionsoftheYoungMarinesalongwiththisplaque.TheimpactthatyouhavehadontheYoungMarinesparentsandstaffwillremainwithusforalltime.WemissyoualreadySgtFetch.ThankYou--SincerelyTheCarbonGlacierYoungMarines ByZachVeachHonoraryYoungMarineHeythereYoungMarinesIwasveryexcitedtogettheopportunitytowriteanarticleintheEspritMagazinetotalkalittleaboutmyseasonsofarthisyearFirstoffIdliketothankeachandeveryoneofyouforyoursupportandyourin-volvementwiththeYoungMarines.ItisyouallthattrulymakethedifferenceandmakethisprogramsuchanhonortobeapartofIhopeallofyouhavehadagreat2014sofarIdliketosharewithyoualittleofhowmineisgoing.ImahugebelieverinquotessoIalwaysseemtondonethatIfeeltsacertainsituation.Oneofmyfa-voritesisTherearenomistakesorfailuresonlylessons.ThisoneisbyDenisWaitleyanditreallysumsuphowmy2013seasonwent.OverthewinterIhadalotoftimetothinkandgobackthrougheachandeveryracendingmyownmistakesorlessonswhetheritbeinmydrivingmyphysicalstrengthmentalstrengthorhowIpre-paredforthatparticularevent.ImadealistofeverythingIwantedtoimprove-IneededtobebiggerstrongeramoreefcientthinkerandjustthatmuchhungrierIwantedtowinforyouallandmyself.Iwasntgoingtoletany-thingstandinmywaynomatterhowhardorfrustratingitgot.InthreetiringmonthsIputon15lbs.ofmusclereadovervesportspsychologybooksandmovedtoIndianatobeclosertomyteam.LookingbackonthersttwomonthsoftheseasonsofarIveneverhavebeensothankfultoworksohardinmylife.IntherstfourracesIvemanagedtobefortunateenoughtotaketwowinstwopoleposi-tionsandfourpodiumsalongwithbeingthechampionshippointsleaderclosingintothehalfwaypointoftheseason.IwasevenluckyenoughtohaveaYoungMarinesunitcomeoutandcheermeonattheLongBeachGrandPrixwhenIdrovethecarhometoasecond-placenishafterstartingonthepole.WeareofftoagreatstartintheYoungMarinescarwithalongwaytogobutImfeelingverycondentabouttherestoftheyear.WhatIvelearnedandhowIwasabletochangethingscompletelyaroundformewasbeingabletoadmitmyweaknessesandmakethemstrongertobettermyself.WeallhaveweaknessnomatterhowbigorhowsmalltheyareIencourageyoualltothinkofyourswithapositiveattitudeforimprovementbecauseadayspentbet-teringyourselfisneveradaywastedThankyouforreadingandIhopetoseemanyofyouatthetrackLessonsandThinkingwithaPositiveAttitudeADaySpentBetteringYourselfisNeveraDayWastedSCHEDULE2014STREETSROADSOVALSTORONTOSTREETJULY20TORONTOONTARIOMILWAUKEEOVALAUGUST17MILWAUKEEWIS.MID-OHIOROADCOURSEAUGUST23LEXINGTONOHIOSONOMAROADCOURSEAUGUST2324SONOMACALIF.ZachVeachacceptsanaward.