2nd NC Btn: An Encampment and Visit to MCAS Beaufort Airshow By YM/PFC Summer White Lexington (NC) The Young Marines of Lexington,NC attended the Blue Angles Air Show,also known as MCAS Beaufort Airshow in South Caro- lina last April. The MCAS Beaufort Air Show supports the Ma- rine Corps and Navy recruiting efforts.The show demonstrates the power and capabilities of our military. It was a weekend filled with exciting events, experiences and teamwork. I enjoyed being able to participate in this event. My Unit Commander, Jerry Foy, worked hard to give his Young Marines an experience they will always remember. From the time of our arrival there was constant action. On check-in the first day, our unit waited for all other units to arrive and meet in the chow hall. Once we were together we proceeded to the barracks. Soon after it was close order drill on the grounds. Lights out was at 9:00 p.m. To practice team building skills each day we took part in different activities. By 05:30 a.m. we were awake. We did close order drill. Finally, to the chow hall for breakfast to get ready for the day. To keep the units in top shape outdoor PT was performed daily. The air show was on the agenda for the second day. Each unit split up to explore helicopters and various types of fixed-wing aircraft.Most of the unit got to sit in the cockpit of one of these awesome machines. One such plane was the “Spirit of Free- dom”, a flying museum dedicated to honoring the Berlin Airlift. After lunch our unit continued to look and learn about the job that the military plays in protecting America. That aftertnoon,the Blue Angles performed.The performance consisted of inverted (upside down ) flying, the F/A 18 demon- stration team performed a USMC Legacy Pass formation. In addition there were other precision exercises by other air- craft. Other performances included an F-16 Viper flight team performance, a parachute jump, several individual stunt pilots and the Parris Island Marine Band. We visited the gift shop. Later that night we did a meet and greet with the other units. By the third day the unit’s rou- tine was developed. We visited the “yellow footprints”, where new recruits arriving line up to meet their Drill Instructors, then we headed home. It was a great trip for all. YM/SgtMaj Michael Dulin Greater Cleveland (OH) The question “What does it mean to be an American?” seems like a corny propaganda slogan,but there is truth to these eight words. As of recent, America seems to be turning itself inside out, with failed political agendas and policies turning Ameri- cans against each other in the name of being a “Republican,” a “Democrat,” or none of the above. We have let our core values of Americanism slip in the name of party domination and argu- ments over who the problem is. Recently, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Congressman from Ohio’s 16th Congres- sional DIstrict ,the Honorable Jim Renacci,and the idea that he shared with me is my motivation for writing this. No one should blame the government for the lack of eco- nomic, political, and social advancement in America. The sys- tem of government that was implemented in the Constitution close to 230 years ago is a system that works. Americans are spending too much time focusing on who is Republican and who is Democrat and we are giving too much credibility or too much negativity to a name. This fact alone is what is slowing and even halting our pro- gression as a country. We are all Americans, and it is important that we never forget that. The election of 1800 sparked a new era for America, referred to now as the “Revolution of 1800.” Thomas Jefferson who represented the Democratic-Republican Party ran against President John Adams, who was sided with the Federalist Party System. Before this election, the Federal- ists had been in power since the drafting of the Constitution. When Jefferson won the election, this marked the first time in American history that power in the United States govern- ment had shifted from one party to another. What makes this event so significant is that it was the first “peaceful” transi- tion of power in America. After the election, Thomas Jefferson addressed the American people in March of 1801 by saying, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.” The greatest American value is that we are all equal. A name or title does not make your fellow American your enemy, just because that’s the way it has been for centuries. People often ask how change is to come to our great nation. The answer is that it starts with us, the youth of America. We cannot change the ideals of those in office now or change the way that they choose to neglect each other and their ideas based on a title. America should not be divided in this way. We are all Republicans. We are all Democrats. This fact must reign true to fix what most see as a divided nation. Abraham Lincoln once said that “A house divided on itself cannot stand.” This was said during the time of the American Civil War. While Americans are not shooting at each other over this dilemma, they are still halting America in its progression as a united nation. We must not be divided, We must stand as one. That is what Americans must value. [Editor’s Note: YM/SgtMaj Dulin is Division 5 Young Marine of the Year]. A Divided Country Cannot Progress, We Are All Americans 36 • Vol.2 • 2017 • YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE EDITION