By YM/Pvt Ethan Falkner Kingman (AZ) On March 29th, 2018 communities all over the country honored National Vietnam Veterans Day. Our Young Marines Unit had the honor of participating in a ceremony that was held at our downtown Veterans Park. At the start of the ceremo- ny, held by the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, our Young Marine color guard presented the colors. Besides the color guard, we also stood in a special flag line along with the Pa- triot Guard Riders. In addition to our four-man color guard three Young Marines stood with flags that honored the Prisoners of War/Miss- ing in Action and three Young Marines stood with the flags that hon- ored the Wound- ed Warriors of today. I had the honor of standing with a POW/MIA flag. For me this was a very special day. Not only did I feel hon- ored to be one of the Young Ma- rines chosen to carry the POW/MIA flag in this ceremony, but what made this day so special for me was that I stood in the flag line along with my grandpa, Bill Falkner, who had served in Vietnam. We wore our uniforms and stood at at- tention when the National Anthem was played and we recited the Pledge of Al- legiance together. I really enjoyed being there to listen to other veterans tell us their stories of their service in Vietnam during the war. I am very proud of my grandpa, as he served in the U.S. Army with the 93rd Engineers, Company D, attached with the 9th Infantry Division.He was wounded in Vietnam. I am also proud to be a Young Marine and that I had the chance to hon- or my grandpa and the other veterans of the Vietnam war. Arizona Unit Observes National Vietnam Veterans Day William “Bill” Falkner and his grandson, YM/Pvt Ethan Falkner. (L-R): Veteran William “Bill” Falkner, YM/Pvt Pino and YM/Pvt Ethan Falkner. By YM/SgtMaj Lauren Loria Col. Wesley Fox (VA) When the government shutdown occured a few years ago, my unit received a call about doing a color guard for the Puget Sound Honor Flights, an organiza- tion that takes veterans from across the country to their memorial in Washing- ton, DC. The experience brings tears and smiles from the veterans. The Col. Wesley Fox Young Marines have been doing their color guards since then and every time, the veterans are extremely grateful for our presence. In re- turn, the Young Marines have the rare opportunity to meet veterans from World War II and occasionally will have the chance listen to their stories. Honor Flights: It’s An Opportunity to Learn About History Our unit may be new, but we are striving to get out there and show our appreciation of veterans in our local community. One amazing opportunity we had was to serve dinner to World War II veterans at an event hosted by the Casper Elks Lodge on May 4,2018. More than twenty WWII veter- ans showed up with their guests in tow. YM/Pvt Connor Stoysich, YM/ Pvt Evan Koerperich, and YM/PFC Matthew Harvey brought the guests their meals. After dinner, each vet- eran stood up and told us a few of their stories. The event concluded with awards and gifts handed to each WWII veteran by U.S. Senator John Barrasso. (R-Wyoming). The Young Marines were able to take a picture with him after the event. The best part of the event for all was hearing the veterans’ stories. It makes us proud that our community conducts events like these and invites our Young Marines to assist. I know they are eager to continue their efforts to reach out to even more veterans throughout the year as well! -- Submitted by Juliann Harvey, Executive Officer, Casper Mountain (WY) Young Marines Casper Mountain Young Marines with United States Senator John Barrasso. Casper Mountain: A Senator Helped Us Honor WWII Veterans 20 Young Marines Esprit ONLINE