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BY YMSSgt Matthew Carr Columbus IN There is almost nothing that compares to the feel- ing of being an escort and having the chance to have a conversation with a WWII veteran. On September 6th I participated in and helped organize the color guard for the Indy Honor Flight at Plainfield High School. The Indy Honor Flight is a large event in which veterans from WWII are honored by the public and escorted from me- morials in Washington D.C. and fly into Indianapolis and escorted to the Indiana War memorial. At the event were Young Marines and recruits from Speedway Central Indiana and my own unit of Colum- bus IN. It was a very moving experience and I am proud to have represented the Young Marines at this event. Although I have done color and honor guard ceremonies all across America with the Young Marines program this was my first time to take part in the Indy Honor Flight. I knew what to do just not exactly what to do for this specific event. Before I started towards Plain- field my Unit Commander told me that I was going to be in charge of the Columbus unit I texted everyone to make sure they were on their way and in proper uniform. I arrived and met some old friends from JLS who are in the Speedway unit. I asked about who was to lead and what we were going to be doing.We had arrived early so while we waited I took my Young Marines aside to have a discussion. This was the first time for most of the Young Marines from my unit to be participating in a color guard event. I took the Young Marines from my unit aside to have a discussion since for most of it would be their first color guard event. I organized them into their proper rank structure in- structed them about certain things and told them that I wanted them on their best behavior. Darkness loomed over Plainfield High School. A sense of urgency overcomes a few Young Marine members from Speedway Central Indiana and Columbus units. A large crowd had gathered in the gym and people from all over line the hallway holding American Flags. We formed two squads and stood at ease and started to talk amongst ourselves. Then there came a hushed tone and the hallway grew silent. One of the loudest most motivated Young Marines I had ever met yelled at the top of his voice Attention Present Colors. After that the truly amazing things began to happen. Every Young Marine and Young Marine recruit stood at attention and maintained their bearing.We could hear the roar of the motorcycles outside and the escort of the veterans be- gan. They were brought to the event by bus with wheelchairs provided for those need- ing them. Then the veterans of WWII started filing in many in wheelchairs. Young Marines and many other community members rushed to assist.The veterans were escorted into the building. The adult volunteers came in as escorts and for every veteran there was someone holding up a giant poster board with a WWII-era photo of the veteran. There were also posters for veterans who did not attendfor they had passed away and that was an emotional moment. It was a very moving experience and I am proud to have represented the Young Marines at this event --YMSSgt Matthew Carr INDY H HONOR FLIGHT Young Marines waiting for the arrival or Honor Flight veterans and assisting them as they assemble to enter. Page 24 ESPRIT