By YM/MSgt Celeste Hamper Division 1 Public Affairs Correspondent “How about we agree upon what our common American values are,which let’s make this a true land of opportunity,”said Laurene Powell Jobs. People have fought for our land for years.The first war,World War I was fought July 28, 1914 through November 11, 1918. As wars continue to occur and history continues, citizens also need to continue to learn about their American values. First, what is America? America can be described as freedom, pride, equality, de- mocracy, strength, freedom of religion, wealth, faith, and much more. These are just a few words that come to mind when speaking about America. Thomas Jefferson once said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happi- ness; that to secure these rights, govern- ments are instituted among men, deriv- ing just powers from the consent of the governed.” Jefferson was one of the first that had a theory of the origin of Ameri- can values in 1776. Jefferson had these ideas in mind while writing the Declara- tion of Independence. One specific value calls out to me, vol- unteerism. This value can be described as helping others,done by choice,involv- ing groups, or by individuals. Community service is a very specific example of this. There are groups today such as Young Marines, and many more. But more vol- unteers are needed. Many benefits come with volunteering. It feels good knowing you can help your community and your country. Volunteering can be described as one big team-building opportunity, but vol- unteering is in decline with fewer people today volunteering. As years continue to pass,we have fewer veterans who served in past wars.Those are the true heroes of America. They gave their lives for us, as others continue to do today.We may nev- er get the chance to hear their stories. Youth today need to talk to those older people to help carry on their stories and share them with others. Those people are the ones who demonstrated the best values and showed us by their example. America today needs to notice that and live up to our American values. Volunteerism: One of Our Enduring American Values By YM/GySgt Connor Siwicki Division 1 Public Affairs Correspondent Last April, the Westover Young Marines participated in the annual Sgt Joshua D. Desforges Walk/Run Challenge. Joshua Desforges lived in my hometown of Ludlow,Massachusetts.Sgt Desforges joined the Young Marines program at the age of 13 and stayed in until he graduated from high school. While in the program, he attended several leadership schools and one of the first Veteran Reunion trips to Iwo Jima.Sgt Desforges en- listed in the United States Marine Corps in September of 2004, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January, 2008. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice. Tragedy struck on May 10, 2010 when Sgt Desforges was killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand Prov- ince, Afghanistan. At the time of his death Sgt Desforges was 23 years old. Sgt Joshua Desforges’ memory and sacrifice will forever be memorialized in the monument behind the Ludlow Senior High School, as well as in the Annual Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges Walk/Run Challenge. On the morning of the Run, the Westover Unit staffed a booth promoting a healthy drug-free lifestyle in honor of Sgt Des- forges. Sgt Desforges’ mother, Arlene Desforges, gave the Westover Young Marines the great honor of presenting a color guard during the opening ceremony of the challenge. Five Young Marines participated in the challenge itself to honor Sgt Des- forges, a good man that they had never met, and yet shared a strong bond as Young Marines. It was amazing thing to see a group of young people come together to show support for a Young Marine who they had never met, because of this simple bond. For Young Marines all over the country who support vet- erans who they have never met, keep up the good work, and Semper Fidelis. Westover Young Marines Honor a Hero From Their Community 14 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT