From the very start of our units experience of arriving to Hawaii at the airport we were ready for volunteering and to learn every- thing we could while we were there. Upon arriving at the airport we were told that the Pearl Harbor Survivors were arriving in 20 minutes! We decided to leave the luggage and wait to greet everyone of the veterans, that was one reason why we went to Hawaii.It was great to see them,they gave us high fives, cried, kissed us females and hugged many of us. We were very glad to get to see everyone of them. Following that we went to check in at the barracks. We were very happy to get to stay for free at Kaneohe on the Marine Corps Base. And our first morning there we had to get the picture out- side of the barracks then headed to the beach for clean up and the hike up Sniper Hill. After the hike we picked up our other minivan and were able to learn about the natural habitat of the Hawaiian Seal which is on the list of species in danger of extinction. The seal had beached itself and a biologist was there to protect it and keep humans away from it. How many people can say they have seen a Hawai- ian Seal in nature? We have! We worked our way back to the barracks to change for the Luau that the local Young Marines unit had worked with National and prepared for all of the Young Marines arriving in Hawaii, Pyramid Rock. Our unit had a great time at the beach in spite of the rain, the temperature was in the 70’s so we didn’t care about it- we were in Hawaii!! -- Submitted by Dina Dillon, Unit Commander, Guadalupe Valley (TX) Young Marines Guadalupe Valley: Some of What We Saw in Hawaii A Young Marines’ Poem I sit here wondering How did I survive? When the destruction of drugs Took over my Mom's life As heroine and opiates Flowed through your veins How could you not see That it left us in pain? Lying, stealing, and cheating Just so you could get high Making room for drugs As you pushed us aside No food or bed to sleep in Not even a home Going place to place Not able to call it our own My tears soak my pillow As my mind always paced Not knowing if my siblings And I would be safe Drugs destroy lives Not only yours But especially mine We need to take a stand And fight these deadly drugs Open our hearts And fill the world with love I hope no one else Has to live the life I did Mothers would say no to drugs And only choose their kids Mom, I love you and pray That you would change And love us again By YM/Pvt AnJenaya Vigil Pueblo (CO) YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE EDITION • Vol.2 • 2017 • 41