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ESPRITVolume32014 ByYoungMarinesForYoungMarinesNationalHeadquartersStaffNationalExecutiveDirectorChiefExecutiveOfcerMichaelKesslerNationalDeputyDirectorJosephVenableInspectorGeneraloftheYoungMarinesJosephBlesDirectorTrainingEducationMichaelGuilesTrainingEducationSpecialistAlvinHendricksChiefMarketingOfcerGaryWeisbaumDirectorofOperationsRobertBorkaUnitMarketingManagerJanelleJohnsenDeputyDirectorWestCoastOperationsandProgramDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerJosephLusignanDirectorofAdministrationJudyJonesDatabaseAdministratorPatriciaBorkaDirectorofFinanceMikeTracyWebmasterServiceTimKupperXpertMediaManagementLLCYoungMarinesESPRITJaimeJassoEditorLayoutandDesignBoardofDirectorsChairmanoftheBoard-WilliamSmithViceChairmanoftheBoard-WilliamJ.WalkerNationalExecutiveDirector-MichaelKesslerInvitedMember-GeneOverstreetGeneralCounsel-HerbHarmonDirectorofFinance-MichaelTracyAppointedMember-WilliamBarnesAppointedMemberTreasurer-CathrinePayneAppointedMemberBoardSecretary-DinaDillonDeputyDirector-JosephVenableYoungMarinesNationalFoundationExecutiveDirector-MikeZeliffYoungMarinesAlumniAssociationEdgarHuff-FormerYoungMarineoftheYearDivisionCommandersRobertDittrichDivisionOneGeorgeBiedenbenderDivisionTwoJohnGionetDivisionThreeCharlesJacksonDivisionFourRonPownallDivisionFiveMichaelWilsonDivisionSixDivisionYoungMarinesoftheYearYMSgtMajAustinLoppeDivisionOneYMSgtMajJasonMooneyDivisionTwoYMSgtMajAlexanderMessmerDivisionThreeYMSgtMajJoshuaAikmanDivisionFourYMSgtMajMichaelBorkaDivisionFiveYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseDivisionSixNationalYoungMarineoftheYearYMSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseESPRITPage1 FromourNationalDirectorPage2ESPRITIhavebeenatthisforalongtimeandhavehadalotoffunatavarietyofYoungMarinesactivities.Ialwaysenjoygraduationsforthesimplepleasurethatitgivesmeinwatchingthefutureofourprogramwalkacrossastagetoreceivetheircompletioncerticatesandotherawards.IenjoytheLeadershipAcademiesbecauseIlikeseeingourseniorlead-ersdepartwitharenewedsenseofcondenceandenthusiasm.ButitallhonestyIcannotrememberhavingmorefunthanIdidatourrstNationalEncampment.Icantputmyngeronanyonething.Itmighthavebeenthetalentshowortheshingdock.Maybeitwasthesmallborerangeortherockclimbingwall.Thenagainitmighthavebeenthehorseridingopportunitiesortheeldskillstrainingsessions.Iwatchedassometriedtheirhandatblacksmithingormetalforgingcouldithavebeenthearcheryorthewaterslidewiththeac-companyinginatedicebergorwhat-everthatthingwas.Itmighthavebeenthemorningformationsandagraisingceremoniesortheeveningformationandaglowering.HmmmIknowwhatitwasthatgotmeallexcitedaboutthisrsttimeeventitwasthefactthatwehadYoungMarinesofallagesallranksandfromaroundthecountryinoneplaceatthesametimehavingfunandlearningfromoneanother.ItwaswatchingaprofessionalstaffheadedupbyMikeBehringerworkoutthekinksofmanagingthisbeastwithapparenteaseworkingtogetherforthesakeofourYoungMarines.Whataninspirationalthingtowitnessonalllevels.AsmytimebeginstodwindleawayIamremindedofwhywedowhatwedo.WhenIseeaneventsuchasthispassthetestasIfeelitdidthesummerIamencouragedthatwehaveacrosssectionofvolunteersandseniorYoungMarineLeaderswhocancometogethertoputonaneventofthismagnitudewithlittleornodrama.Congratulationstoallofyouonthistrulymagnicenteffort.Nowforthosewhobravedthestagefrightnormallyassociatedwithperforminginatalentshowwelldone.Gettingupinfrontofalargeaudienceisnoteasyyouhavemycongratulations.SemperFidelisMikeKesslerFollowusonFacebookwww.facebook.comusyoungmarinesandournationalhomepagewww.youngmarines.comCongratulationsonaMagnicentEffortOur2014NationalEncampment FrontandCenterYoungMarineReceivesConnecticutStateAwardOnJune3YMGySgtPaigeLaFlammefromtheThreeRiversYoungMarineswasoneofonlyvehighschoolseniorsintheStateofConnecticuttoreceivetheSecretaryofStatesExcel-lenceinCitizenshipPublicServiceAwardwhichincludesanawardofaonethousanddollarscholarship.ThebasisforthisawardwasherexcellenceinhighschoolandhermorethaneighthundredhoursofcommunityservicewhileintheYoungMarinesprogram.--SubmittedbyPatrickMcMahonUnitCommanderThreeRiversCTYoungMarinesEditorsNoteReadGySGtLaFlammesinterviewwithU.S.SenatorChristopherMurphyofConnecticutelsewhereinthisissue.LefttorightConnecticutSecretaryofStateDeniseMerrillYMGySgtPaigeLaFlammeNorwichConnecticutMayorDebraHincheyandThreeRiversUnitCommanderPatrickMcMahon.OnFridayMay16thmybrothergraduatedfromArmyBasicTrain-ingInfantrySchool.AthisTurningBlueceremonyheaskedmetoputthebluecordonhisuniform.ItwasreallymovingtomebecauseIthoughthewouldchooseourfatherormother.Ididntevenknowuntilmydadtoldme.Iwasreallyhappyandgladtoseemybrotheragainandattendhisgraduation.Iamexcitedbecauseheisgoingintothe1stCavalry.Heshotexpertinhisunitwithsevenothersoutofeightyeight.Iamre-allyproudofmybrotherfordoingsowellinbasictraining.HeleftSouthlandYoungMarinesasaStaffSgtandisnowaPvt-2intheU.S.Army.--SubmittedbyYMSGtStevenMedinaSouthlandYoungMarinesHeHelpsHisBrother-AFormerYM-TurnBlueTheMedinabrotherssquaredaway.LCpl.CodyDochnahlofSoutheastCountyCAYoungMarineswasgiventhehonoroflayingawreathattheTomboftheUnknowns.HewasawardedtheHunting-tonBeachMasonicLodgeNo.380GoodCitizenshipAwardafterenteringanessaycontestatStaceyMiddleSchool.ThecommendationcertifcatereadsCongratu-lationstoCodyforhisexemplaryindividualqualitieswhichhavemeritedsuchpublicrecognition.Hisessayispresentedhere.ItwouldbeanhonorandaprivilegetorepresentmyschoolStaceyMiddleSchoolintheWreathLayingCeremonyattheTomboftheUnknownsatArlingtonNationalCemetery.Par-ticipationinthisceremonywouldbeanexperiencethatwouldallowmetoexpressmydeepadmirationforourAmericanSer-vicemenwhosowillinglygavetheirlivesforourgreatnation.IamproudtobeanAmericanandIamapatriot.IbelongtotheSoutheastCountyYoungMarinesinwhichIstrivetonur-turemyloveformycountryandforthesoldiersthatnotonlyhavegiventheirlivesbutaredefendingourcountrydaily.TheLayingoftheWreathCeremonywouldallowmetoparticipateinoneofthemosthonorabletaskswhichasaYoungMarineIwouldeverhavetheopportunitytodo.TomehavingthisaspartofmytriptoWashing-tonDCisfarbeyondmyhighestexpectation.ItisamemoryIwilltakewithmeasIfollowmycareerpath.Iamplanningonenteringthemilitaryandservingmybelovedcountryaftercompletingmyeducation.AspartofmyYoungMarinedutiesIparticipateinmanyvet-eransceremoniesandeventsaswellascommunitysponsoredparadesandevents.IhavehadtheprivilegeofparticipatinginHonorGuardandhaveparticipatedinmanyserviceswithinmycommunity.Iunderstandtheabsolutehonorthatthisoppor-tunityisandIappreciatethevaluethisexperiencehasforme.InparticipatinginthisceremonyIwillberepresentingmyschoolmycommunityandmyYoungMarines.IfgiventhisveryimportantresponsibilityIwillactwiththerespecthonoranddignitythatthisprivilegewarrants.AYoungMarinesEssayEarnsHimVisittoArlingtonESPRITPage3 ByYMGySgtDanielSundineTornadoAlleyKSDuringtheweekofJuly20ththroughthe26thmyunittraveledtoTallahinaOklahomatoattendthe2014YoungMa-rineNationalEncampment.BeingoneofonlytwounitsinKansasandtheonlyactiveunitwehaveneverbeenabletoreallyparticipateineventswithotherunits.MygoalwhileattheNationalEncamp-mentwastomeetotherunitsandtoletpeopleknowweexist.Alongwithhavingtonsoffunandlearn-ingnewskillsandpracticesourunitstayedlockedonandmadeourpresenceknownthroughouttheweek.Wesoundedoffateverychowtothebestofourabilityandmadetheentirechowhallstopwhattheyweredoingtolistentousseveraltimes.FortherstfewtimeswediditonlywiththemalesfromourunitaswewereallfromOsagecampsite.NextwehadallofTornadoAlleysfe-malesjoiningusinourpreparationtoseat.NottoolongafterthatwehadtheMidwestCentralYoungMarinesfromIl-linoisandPuebloYoungMarinesfromColoradojoinusinacouplepreparationstoseataswell.OneofthemanythingsTornadoAlleylovestodoissettheexampleanddothethingsnooneelsedoesoriswillingtodoandthatsexactlywhatwedidfollow-ingoneoftheeveningeventsMinutetoWinIt.Aseveryonebegantoexittheamphi-theaterwenoticedthatdozensofpiecesoftrashwereleftbehindalongalmosteverysinglerow.IassignedeveryYoungMarinetoarowintheamphitheaterandwewalkeddowneachonepickingupallthetrashwecouldnd.ThatverynextmorningwewererecognizedbythedirectorofthecampMr.MichaelBehringerandeachgivenatokenofthanksaswellasaNa-tionalEncampmentchallengecoin.ItwasanextremelyproudmomentformyselfandallmyfellowYoungMarinesaswestoodinfrontoftheentirecampforsomethingsolittlebutmeaningful.Thesamedayourwholeunitdecidedtogiveuponehouroftheirfreetime.WetalkedtoaBoyScoutleaderaboutclean-ingupthetoolcraftarea.Thewholeunitmetwhenfreetimestartedandwesweptandhosedoffthetablesandworkingareasalongwithpickinguptrashleftfromclasstime.IwasecstaticthatourunitgaveuptheirsomefreetimetohelpouttheBoyScouts.Anddespiteallthedisciplinewekeptthroughouttheweekwestillman-agedtohavetonsoffunNationalEncampmentAWeekofDisciplinedFunTheydoexistTornadoAlleyYoungMarinesarriveinTalihinafortheNationalEncampment.Page4ESPRIT ESPRITPage5UNITMYYMAtthe2014-ARecruitTrainingGraduationceremonySgtCharliewasintroducedasthenewmascotoftheNorthernKentuckyYoungMarinesunit.SgtCharliea1-year-oldEnglishBulldogjoinedthe13graduatesasthenewestmembersofourYoungMarinefamilyandwasinstantlyahugehit.TheFamilypetofYMPVTCylusReynaudCharlieplansonattendingunitceremoniesandwehopehewillmarchalongsideNorthernKen-tuckyYoungMarinesatparades.--SubmittedbyLynneArnoldNorthernKentuckyYoungMarinesNorthernKentuckyUnitintroducesitsNewMascotNorthernKentuckyYoungMarineswelcometheirnewmascotSgtCharlie.Moustachesarenon-regulationyouguysOnSaturdayApril5thourunitralliedaroundourfriendandformerYoungMarineNathanBrundageduringafundraisergiveninhishonor.InDecemberhewasdiagnosedwithgradeIVglioblastomawhichisatypeofbraincancer.NathanlefttheYoungMarineprogramtofollowhisdreamofbecomingavolunteerremanwithLewiston2FireCompa-nyinLewistonNYbuthasremainedintouchtheunit.InfacthisbrotherMattisonstaffasourDrugDemandReductionOfcer.NathanwasamemberofourunitforfouryearsandamemberofourColorGuard.DuringtheeventIwasgiventhehonorofpresentinghimwithapicturebookofmemoriesfromhistimeinourunit.--SubmittedbyYMMSgtNathanLinkWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesWesternNYSupportingaFriendandFormerYMLeftWithmembersoftheBrundagefamilyBrundysBrigadewhocontinuetosupporttheWesternNewYorkYoungMarines.RightYMMSgtNathanLinkpresentsapicturebooktoformerYoungMarineNathanBrundage.ByLCPLDaolaiA.ChanthiratMecklenburgCountyNCLastMarchourunithadathree-dayWinterEncampment.WecampedatMorrowMountaininNC.Wehikedupthemountainthatwasreallysteepandhigh.Ittooktwohourstocompleteandtwohourstoreturn.MorningwasreallycoldbutwithrecourageformerandcurrentMarinesonsitetobackusupnotaskwasimpossible.WedrilldidPTandjustrelaxedaroundthecamprelearningalotmorethanweanticipated.Itwasworthitall.OurunitheldaregimentaldrillcompetitioninCharlotteattheVFWPost9488.Eightunitswithinthesurroundingareaat-tendedandcompeted.Competitionconsistedofdrillplatoonandcolorguard.SomeunitswonbutallwiththehonorcourageandcommitmentthatarebestoweduponusasYoungMarineswewereallwinners.Forthepastthreemonthsourunithasbeenbusyprovidingservicesforourveteransandlocalcommunities.TheseservicesconsistedofassistingveteransattheVAHospitalandatCharlotteMotorSpeedway.OurunitwasrecognizedatthegovernmentcenterindowntownCharlotteN.CinMayforourservicesofadoptingacreekandacleaningwedidtwiceayearforthatcreek.Asignwasputupforusatamajorintersectionbythecitynearthecreek.ThesignreadsCreekadoptedbytheMecklen-burgCo.YoungMarines.MecklenburgCountyCompetitionandCommunity WesternNewYorkYoungMarinesperformspringcleaningupattheMarineCorpsMonumentonadamprainyday.--SubmittedbyJudyLinkAsYoungMarinesweknowwhenandwhennottogoofaround.Butaskidsandteenssometimeswecanthelpit.OurunithasahabitofmakingfriendswitheachotherandspendingtimetogetheroutsideofYoungMarinesorcommunicat-ingoverFacebookandtextmessages.Wehavebecomemoreofafamilyinthiswaythanwehaveanythingelse.WelookoutforeachotherOneofthethingsIhavelearnedintheYoungMarinesisthatitdoesnotmatterifyourebloodornotfamilyisfamily.--SubmittedbyYMCplKodiJonesMojaveVipersWeCommunicateNogoongoffhereMojaveVipersgatherforaunitportrait.YMMSgtNathanLinkwasawardedtheDrugEnforcementAgencyDEADevicebyMr.MichaelGuilesYoungMarinesDirectorofTrainingandEducationandpresentedtohimbyUnitCommanderDanGuiherandExecutiveOfcerScottMacLeod.--SubmittedbyJudyLinkWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesYoungMarineEarnsDEADeviceMyVeryActiveColoradoUnitDoesWorthwhileThingsOurunitisveryactive.Weparticipateinparadesencamp-mentsandMemorialDayevents.Theparadesthatourunitparticipatesinimpressthepublicinmyopinion.Ihavebeentomanyparadesandbeenontopoftheoatonceanditwasanamazingexperience.Itdidgetalittletiringbutfeltgood.IalsowentononeYoungMarinesencampment.Therstdaywemostlysettledinandexploredoursurroundings.Thenextdaywasveryexcit-ingwelearnedhowtouseacompass.ThemealswerecoolbecausewehadMREsmealsreadytoeat.ThelastandinmyopinionthebestwasthatwegottoplayCapturetheFlag.Iwasadefenderoftheagandourteamwon.Itwasallfun.IenjoydoingallofthethingswedotohonorourtroopsandparticpatinginMemorialDayevents.Ithinkthatalloftheeventsthatmyunitdoesareworthwhile.--SubmittedbyYMPFCJ.OlsenMountainViewYoungMarinesAMinioninsistedonhavinghisphototakenwithmembersofthe1stBn1stNCRegimentcolorguardattheopeningceremoniesattheOnslowCountyRelayforLife.--SubmittedbyDanaCozzensSwansboroNCYoungMarinesWearingoftheCamoGreen...ThisyeartheweatherforSt.PatricksDayinDenverwasbittercold.FoothillsYoungMa-rinesmarchedintheparade.ThejudgesgaveastandingovationtotheunitforsingingtheNationalAnthem--SubmittedbyStacyAndersonFoothillsCOYoungMarinesPage6ESPRIT ByJimBurkeUnitCommanderBigBendFLAttractedbytheuniformsoftheYoungMarinesoftheBigBendVincentIrvingneedednoconvincingtobecomeamem-berofourdrug-demandreductionpro-gram.Vincentlaterdiscoveredthathispassionfortobaccopreventionwouldleadhimtoacareer.UpongraduationfromuniversityhewaschosentojointheYouthActivismFellowshipProgramfortheAmericanLegacyFoundation.Theprogramishigh-lycompetitiveandIrvingisoneofonlyfourfellowsthathavebeenselectedfor2014-15.TheAmericanLegacyFoun-dationfostersyoungadultsinordertoencouragefuturegenerationstogetin-volvedwithintheircommunitiesonto-baccoissuesandtobuildaworldwhereouryouthrejecttobacco.Irvingbelieveseducationisthemostimportantwaytoaffectthecommunity.Heengagesandeducateshiscommu-nityonhowtobaccoisbeingsoldtotheyouth.HeismotivatedbyMartinLutherKingJr.strivingtolivebyhisfavoritequoteLifesmostpersistentandurgentquestionisWhatareyoudoingforoth-ersIrvingconsidershismothertobethebestlivingrolemodel.ShemadesureIattendedchurchandencouragedmetojointheYoungMarines.IrvingworkswiththeFloridaDepart-mentofHealthinLeonCounty.Hecon-frontstheissuesinvolvingtobaccore-tailersadvertisements.MygoalistogivemycommunitytheopportunityandskillstocreatechangefromtheirownawarenesssotheyarenotdependentonelectedofcialstoimplementchangeIrvingsaid.VincentIrvingseekstounitethecom-munityintheghtagainsttobaccoforthelonghaul.IrvingcompletedhistourasaYoungMarinewiththerankofYMMasterGun-nerySergeantandisaregisteredadultintheYoungMarinesoftheBigBendinTallahasseeFlorida.FormerYoungMarineSelectedasaYouthActivismFellowYMsCreateADrugDemandReductionBoardGameByYMCplToriGuiherWesternNewYorkLastsummerIattendedtheTennesseeRegimentJLS.ItwassomuchfunImetalotofotherYoungMarinesandreceivedtheMollyMarineAward.Thatwassuperexciting.AfterIgothomeIstartedthinkingofwaysthatIcouldmakeadiffer-enceinourunitasaleader.TheperfectplacetostartwasDrugDemandReductionafterallthatisthemaincoreofourprogram.IcameupwithaboardgamesimilartoothersbutdenitelyallYoungMa-rinesrelated.Iresearchedandcreatedquestion-and-answercardsotherYoungMarinesofferedquestionsandanswerstoowhichwerealsoused.ThenIcreatedcardsthathadPTexercisesonthemsoifyoulandedonaPTsquareyoupulledaPTcardandthewholeteamwouldhavetodotheexer-ciseplusyoudidntgainanypoints.Thegamepiecesarelittleplasticsol-diers.WesenttherulesandpicturestoMr.Lusignanandhewantsustosendhimaprototype.ImsoexcitedIpromiseMr.LusignanIamworkingonitwedidntwanttosendoursbecauseweuseit.NowImworkingonquestionsthatfo-cusontheguidebooks.Wehavealotoffunndingnewwaystolearn.KeepingaWatchonTheGateandEmpoweringYoungMarinesByJoeLusignanYoungMarinesDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerAsourEspritishittingthepressmostofyouhavesignedyourunitsuptoreceivetheRedRibbonWeekCampaignKitsandarepreparingtotakeonthechallengeofspreadingourmes-sageofapositivedrugfreelifestyleinsupportofrememberingEnriqueKikiCamarena.Iwanttothankyouforbeingteamplayersandforcontributingtoourorganizationsteppinguponanationalscaleandmakingadifferenceinourcommunities.WiththesetoolsweareempoweringourYoungMarinestostepupandspreadanimportantmessagethatouryouthdesper-atelyneedtohear.InaworldthatisgettingmoreandmorepermissiveasfarasdangerousdrugusageweareproudofthosewhoarestandingupandsayingStopthemadness.Andthemessageisreceivedbestwhenitcomesfromtheyouth.Havingsaidthatadultsneedtorememberthatwearetheretosupportwearetheretoencourageandmostimportantlywearetheretosupervise.WhileweareputtingmoreleadershipcapabilitiesandopportunitiesintothehandsofourYoungMa-rineLeaderspleasekeepinmindthatneverrelievestheadultsfromtheonusofprovidingattentivesupervision.WhetheritbeataJuniorLeadershipSchoolsellingcarwashticketsinfrontofastoreorteachingaclassadultsmustNEVERshirktheirresponsibilityofthesafetyofourYoungMarinesbynotprovidingappropriatesupervision.Wemustalwayskeepinmindthatwhileempoweringouryouthwemustalsoprotectthem.ESPRITPage7 OurVisittoQuanticowasanAwe-inspiringAdventureByYMPFCMadysenMyersWestmorelandCountyPAItsaninspiringadventurehereatQuanticoVA.Wearestrollingdowntheroad2hourstogountilwellreachtheMarineCorpsBase.OurFirststopiswithHMX1SquadronwhichisresponsibleforthePresidentialhelicoptercallsignMarine1whenthePresidentisaboard.TheunitwasestablishedonDecember11947toensurethePresidentcouldbequicklyevacuatedinanemergency.The1standsfortherstsquadronrespon-sibleforthePresidentssafeight.YouhavetogetpermissiontovisittheHMX1itisveryprotected.WewereescortedbytwoMarinesapilotandaheavily-armedguard.Thesecurityonbaseisheavy.NextwevisitedtothePostExchangetobuysouvenirs.WealsohadthepleasureofeatingchowattheMessHall.Weweresurprisedatthevarietyandqualityofthefoodthere.OurnextstopwasatTheNa-tionalMuseumoftheMarineCorps.Insideitwasastoundingwithtonsofinformationdedicatedsectionsforeachwarmanylife-likedisplaysandMarineCorpsmemorabilia.Itwasalottotakein.OurCommanderdividedusupandgaveusaworksheettocompletewithinformationaboutaparticularwar.AswecompletedtheseworksheetsitreallyhelpedusappreciatethesacricesandcontributionsmadebyMarines.MygroupfocusedonWWII.TheIwoJimaWallexhibitthathadMarineCorpsGlobeandAnchordevicesforeachofthe5931Marineskilledduringthe36-daybattleaswellas209NavyinsigniasfortheNavyCorpsmenkilledleftmespeechless.Itwasawe-inspiringtoseehowmuchtheMarineCorpscontributedtheeachandeverywareffortaswellasprotect-ingustoday.WithpublicdonationstheMarineCorpsMuseumcankeephistoryalive.Itiswortheverypennyandmoreasyoureallycantputapriceonhistoryoritspreservation.Ihopeyoucanappreci-atethisasmuchasIdo.Wordscannotex-pressthesenseofaweIfeltonthistripByYMCplSarahGarvisOrlandoDevilDogsFLEntry1-ItwasonlytwoweeksagoIwasasimplesheetofpreparedleathersenttotheskillfulhandsofamilitarycobbler.Hetooled.Hestitched.Hecarefullycraft-edlikeaheartinasurgeonshands.Withtheskillfulmakingofeacheyelettothemeticulousstitchingofmytongueandthevitalsecuringofmysoleheknewalifewasplacedinhishandsashemaster-fullycreatedmethenalstepemboss-ingtheleatherPropertyofU.S.Navy.Myassignment-DRAFTED-toprotecttheveryextremitythatwouldcarryabravesoldierwhoalsowasdraftedtoprotectfreedom.Entry2-OnthebusheadedtoFortMeadeMD.AsfarasIcanseebeloweachseatthosesimilartoIcarryingotherbravesoulstothesametasktothatwhichwewereassigned.Entry3-Didnothavetimetowriteforthepast8weekswhileatFortMeadebecauseIhavebeenatbootcamp.IthinkitwasnamedaftermeEachdayReveillering-ingintheairat0500.Ifeltthevibrationofthebarracksasthesoldiersfeethittheoor.ThestronghandofmysoldiersecuringmesothatIcanprotecthimaswithtrainedmilitaryprecisionheplacedtheagletasthoughmarchingleftrightcrossrepeatlacingfrombottomtotoppreparingmeforcombat.Trainingbeginswithextremedrillsfrompackrunssui-cidebearcrawlsshadowrunsdragandslalomrunsallofwhichputmetothetesttwelvestraighthoursofunrelentingpressure.IcarriedhimthrougheachstepashelearnedhowtoreweaponssuchastheM-1Garand.Ilookedupashewastaughttodisassemblecleanandreas-sembleinthedarkandshootunderanycondition.Healsolearnedhowtodigfoxholeswhichcansurebeadirtyjobcamouagehisfacefornightcombatsetupcampinthewoodsandsnowtogeth-erwemarchedfastoverlongdistancesusedthebayonetondummiesandsomeBasicCombatTrainingalongwiththeregularphysicaltraininglikerunning.Bytheendoftrainingitwas10pmandmysoleswerewornout.Iforgottomentiontherewasclassroomlearningtoo.IrestedunderthatdeskashelearnedabouthygienetheUniformCodeofJusticehowtobehaveasapris-onerofwaretcetera.Everythingwasdoneissquadorplatoonformationandmysolesgotworkedtoexhaustion.OnSundaystherewasnotrainingbutwecleanedthebarracksandpersonalgear.Entry4-IleadmysailortothevesselthatsteamedthroughtheYaluRiver.Theshipapparentlytooclosetotheshoreline.Therocketsredglarethebombsburst-inginairwasprooftoourvesselthattheChinesewerethere.WewereunderattackMyhurriedpacethatcarriedhimthroughbootcampisnowinaction.SuddenlyinfrontofmeInoticedariverofbloodandIcouldsensethefearofthepersonIcar-ried.ThewaveswerecrashingthebombsexplodingasImovedhimforward.ItwasthenthatIrealizedthebloodwasnotfromusalthoughIcouldfeelitseepingintomysole.IfIhadmywayIwouldhavehadhimrunbutwithbraveryhebareddownuponmeandforgedaheadtowardshiswoundedfriend.Histrainingcameintoplayasheknewexactlywhattodotostoptheconstantowofblood.ThatdayIrealizedIwasassignedtoahero.AsthebombsweregoingoffandtheshipwasbeingtossedIsawbootbybootbeingdraggedbeforeme.TheChi-neseofcerwhoalmostsunkusknewexactlywhereshoottodamagetheship.Wehadunder-estimatedtheChinese.WewouldhavebeensunkbuttheU.S.Navywasmotivated.IsawtheMarinesontheshoreinbattlewiththeChinese.Iob-servedontheshoremyfellowsolesthatwerewelltrainedusingmaneuverstoprotecttheirsoldiers.WewenttoshoretounloadsomeammunitionfortheMa-rinesbecausetheywereshort.Laterwehadtotaketheshipbacktotheshipyardfortherepairsonthematerialcausalities.TothecobblerwhogavemelifeThankyouItisbecauseofyouIcancontinuethisjourney.ICarriedHimThroughTheKoreanWar-ApagefromthejournaloftheMilitaryBootsPage8ESPRIT ByGaryWeisbaumChiefMarketingOfcerWiththeLaborDayholidaybehindustherealityisthatSummer2014isinourrearviewmirror.Andwhatasum-meritwasBeginninginJunefollowingthisyearsoutstandingALCinWashingtonDCtheYoungMarinesletthecountryknowwhoournewYoungMarineoftheYearis.CongratulationstoYoungMarineSgtMajBlakeDeWeeseforhisaccomplishmentswhoourAdultVolunteeroftheYearisCongratulationstoScottRileyandwhoourUnitoftheYearisCongratulationstotheLt.AlexanderBonnymanUnit.AlsoatALCinconjunctionwiththeDEAweannouncedthesixwinnersoftheEnriqueKikiCamarenaawards.Congratu-lationstothosesixoutstandingunitsforwinningthispresti-gioushonor.Immediatelyfollowingtheabove-mentionedawardsfromtheALCtheYoungMarinesannouncedourenhancedunitlevelDrugDemandReductionProgramClosingtheGateonDrugs.Thisprogramwithitslearningteachingandengage-mentopportunitiesforallofourYoungMarinesfrom8to18providestheoutreachcapabilitiesforallofourunitstohaveasignicantimpactondrugdemandreductioneffortsintheircommunities.ThereismoretocomeonthisexcitingYoungMarinessignatureprogramsokeepawatchfuleyeforup-datesandadditionalmaterials.Andifallofthiswasnotenoughthe2014YoungMarinesNationalEncampmenttherstofitskindforourorganizationwasahugesuccessandbasedonthecommentstextspostsandemailsthathavecirculatedonthiseventweknoweachandeveryparticipanthadagreattimeandleftwithmemoriesthatwilllastalifetime.AndnallyonAugust142014223YoungMarinesmadethetriptoWindowRockArizonatohelptheNavajoCodeTalkerscelebratetheirspecialpartofourcountrieshistory.Everyyearsince2006YoungMarinesfromacrossthecountrypartici-pateinthisuniqueandrewardingcelebrationofthesigni-cantcontributiontheNavajoCodeTalkersmadetotheUnitedStatesMilitaryhistory.SowhyamItellingyouallthisBecausethistimeoftheyearisalsothetimeforplanningfornextyear.AlloftheeventspreviouslymentioneddidnotjusthappentheywerepartofaplanningprocessthatallowedtheYoungMarinesHQandeldstafftobereadytoperformatourhighestlevelbecausewehadthemallinplans.AndaswemoveintoSeptemberandthefallwebeginagaintheplanningprocesstoinsuresuccessesintheNewYear.Thesameeffortiscriticalattheunitlevel.Thisisthetimetoreectonthemonthsof2014thatarebehindus.WhatworkedWhatdidnotturnoutasplannedWhatchallengesdidyourunitfacein2014thatyoudidnotseecomingandwhatwillyoudoaboutitheadinginto2015tomakesureyouarereadyforitHowwillyouraisefundsthisyearHowwillyougetthewordouttotheopinioninuencersinyourcommunitiesabouttheoutstandingworkyourYoungMarinesunitisdoingAndthelistofquestionsgoesonThatiswhyplanningissoimportant.Andwhilemostpeoplethinkplanningisjustforlargecorporationsandlargeorga-nizationsnothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.ThesamebenetslargecompaniesgetfromplanningcanbethereforallYoungMarinesunitsthattakethetimetoreallythinkandplanfornextyear.ThetimetostartisnowDecemberorevenJanuarywillbetoolate.FromamarketingandpublicrelationsstandpointJanelleJohnsonGRPRourpublicrelationsrmandIstandreadytoassistourYoungMarinesunitsinanywaywecan.Wearealljustatelephonecalloremailaway.AsalwaysletmesaywhatathrillitisandhowproudIamtobeafliatedwithallofyouthatworksohardtomaketheYoungMarinestheprogramitis.GoodplanningItsTimeToPlanAllofthesuccessfuleventsof2014didnotjusthappentheywerepartofaplanningprocess.ESPRITPage9 OurMorningPickingUpinBrownCountyStateParkByLCplMatthewCarrColumbusYoungMarinesINItispouringdownrainonagroupofdedicatedindividualswhoareinBrownCountyStateParkpickinguptrashandpullingouttheinvasiveMustardweedontheSaturdaymorningofMay10th.ThoseinthisgroupareColumbusYoungMarines.ThetriptoBrownCountyStateParkhadbeenplannedoutforweeksbytheUnit-CommanderMr.Rileyandmanyshoweduptoassist.YoungMarinesseparatedintogroupsandtraveledallovertheparkpickinguptrashandpullingthemustardweedsoutoftheground.Itwasntallworkandnoplaythough.ActuallymanyoftheYoungMarineshadalotoffun.AfterweweredonepickinguptrashandpullingthemustardweedsweallheadedbacktoStrahlLake.Wehikedaroundenjoyedtheviewthenplayedsomerugbysoccerandfootball.Weateafeastofalunchwithagroupoffamilyandfriends.ItwasablastTheColumbusUnitholdstwosessionseveryyearwhichmeanswemeetandtrainnewrecruitsinthefallandthenagaininthespring.Duringthewinterandsummermonthsoffmostofustrytondourownwaystodocommunityserviceprojectsandgetintosports.Evenwhenwearentinsessionwesometimesstillmeettogetherforoptionalcommunityserviceprojectsorotheractivities.ThissummermanyYoungMarinesareplanningtoattendtheYoungMarineNa-tionalEncampmentandalotofusaretryingtoraisemoneyfortransportationtogetthere.IhavegainedalotofinsightandexperiencesduringmytimewiththeYoungMarinesandthishasdirectedmetoaseekafuturecareerinthemilitaryasaNuclearEngineerintheU.S.Navy.AlbanyUnitJoinstheFightAgainstBreastCancerByYMMSgtNathanielLowmanYoungMarinesofAlbanyGAOnMarch22theYoungMarinesofAlbanyGAalongwithmorethan500participantscameouttosupportAlbanyPink2014forBreastCancer.ThiseventwassponsoredbyAlbanyBMWAlbanyMotorcars.TherewereseventeenYoungMarinesandstaffmemberswhoparticipatedinthewalk.TwelveoftheYoungMarineswalkedthesixmilescoursetosupportthedriveandtohelpraisemoneytohelpwomenbattlingthistypeofcancer.TheYoungMarinesalsohelpedindirectingtrafcandhand-edoutwaterandfruittothosewhowalkedthecourse.Themoneyraisedwillassistthosesufferingwithbreastcanceraswellasprovideresourcesandinformationtothosediagnosedwithbreastcancer.ThemoneyraisedinAlbanywillhelptheCarltonBreastCenteratPhoebePutneyMemorialHospital.TheYoungMarinesofAlbanywillcontinuetosupportthecommunityineventsthathaveapositiveimpactonthedailylifeofitscitizens.YoungMarinesofAlbanyassistedinAlbanyPink2014afundraisingeventintheghtagainstbreastcancer.A5KRuntoRaiseFundsforHomesforOurTroopsByMarkStoneAdultVolunteerCentralMassMAOnApril6YoungMarinesfromTheCen-tralMassUnitparticipatedinalocal5kcharityrace.ThefourthannualRunfortheTroops5KraisedmoneytobenetHomesforOurTroops.Itisaneventtohonorourmilitaryandhelpbuildhomesdesignedtoaccomodatetheuniquein-juriesofspecicsoldiers.TheeventtookplacelocallyinAndoverMassachusettsunderracedirectorBillPennington.Morethan2000runnersandwalk-ersparticipatedtoraisemoneytobuildahomeforArmyStaffSergeantMattDe-wittwhowasseverelyinjuredduringhisdeploymentinIraq.AsYoungMarinesitwasinspiringtoseesomanypeoplewill-ingtoraisemoneyandawarenessforamanwhohadsacricedsomuchtode-fendourfreedoms.Itwasgreattoseeaformerbeneciaryoftheeventwhowasabletocompeteinthisyearsrun.Wecantwaittodoitagainnextyear.ThenishingtimesforCentralMassYoungMarineswereYMCplThomas33minutesfollowedbyYMPvtHamblinin38minutesYMLCplRibeiroin44minutesandYMPVTTagliaferriwasabletocompletethecoursein24min-utes.TheCentralMassYoungMarinesplantoparticipateintheconstructionofStaffSergeantDewittshomescheduledforlaterthisyear.Wewillshareupdatesastheconstructionprogresses.YoungMarinesandCOMMUNITYSERVICEPage10ESPRIT FindingaRolemodelinmyUnitCommanderByYMCplSpencerNorthcuttMusicCityTNMostpeoplehaverolemodelsorpeo-pletheylookuptointheirlife.Whetheritsanactresssuperherosportsstarorjustsomeoneyouadmiretheyinspireyouandthedecisionsyoumake.FormethatpersonismyUnitCommanderMr.AnthonyWestbrookswhoisaverydeter-minedperson.HeisaretiredGunnerySergeantintheMarineCorpsandIlltellyouheisatoughmanandaverysmartindividual.HeisamentortoalltheyoungmenandwomenintheYoungMarines.Byhisex-ampleheiskeepingthemoffthestreetskeepingthemawayfromdrugsandkeepingtheminphysicalwell-being.HedoesntparticipateintheYoungMarinesfornancialgainbecauserstofallheisnotpaidhedoesthisonhisowntime.Heloveshelpingtocreatethefutureforyoungmenandwomen.WhoelsedoyouknowinyourlifeservedinthemilitaryandriskedhislifeforallofusthencomesbacktohelpanorganizationthathopestomakesocietybetterHehasbeenmarriedtohiswifeBarbaraWestbrooksformorethanfortyyearsandtheyattendchurcheverySun-day.AfterbeingintheMarineshestillstaysinshapetothisday.Hecanrunasfarasanyoneanddomorepush-upsthenanyoneIknow.Ingeneralhegetsalongwithpeoplehecantalktopeo-plewellplusheisafuntobearoundthoughcangetseriouswhenheneedstobe.NowthatIhavedescribedmyrolemodelthinkofyourownrolemodeldoesMr.WestbrookssoundthesameasyoursmaybesoormaybenotSpencerNorthcuttwithhisUnitCommanderAnthonyWestbrooks.ALifetimeofCommunityServiceandaVitalMentorByYMSGySgtJamesJordanChandlerAZTheYoungMarinesworkwithmanyor-ganizationswhileservingthecommunityMichaelWhitakertheNationalExchangeClubYoungMarineliaisonhereinthePhoenixareahasshownwhatprofes-sionalismpatriotismandcharitableworksforthecommunityareallabout.IhaveworkedwithMr.WhitakersincemyrsttimevolunteeringwithhimthroughtheYoungMarinesyearsagoandIlookforwardtoworkingwithhimformanymoreyearstocome.Mr.WhitakerhasbeenservinghiscommunitysincehewasayoungSecondLieutenantintheUnitedStatesAirForcewhenheandhisunitvolunteeredtodolandscapingfortheirlocalYMCA.Heiscur-rentlyamemberoftheoldestnationalserviceorganizationtheNationalExchangeClubwhosemissionissummedupintheirmottoFamilyCommunityCoun-try.ThroughtheExchangeClubheisinchargeoftheHealingFieldsatTempeBeachParkinTempeArizonacommemo-rating2996menwomenandchildrenwhodiedduringthetragiceventsofSep-tember11th2001.Mr.WhitakeralsovolunteerswiththeyearlyOstrichFestivaltoraisemoneyforthepreventionofchildabuseandFeedmyStarvingChildrenwhereheandothermembersoftheExchangeClubgatherfoodtohelpfeedfamiliesofchildreninalocalfreechildrenshospitalwhoarestayinginthenearbyRonaldMc-DonaldHouse.Hehasbeenperform-ingcommunityserviceactivitiesliketheseforbetween30to40yearsandsaidthatheloveschangingthewaypeopleperceivetheirworldnomatterthesizeofthechange.Thishasdrivenhisde-siretogivebacktothecommunity.IamgladthatIwasabletointer-viewthisgreatleaderincommunityserviceandIlookforwardtoworkingwithhimonmanymoreprojectsinthefuture.JamesJordanandMichaelWhitakerAfriendshipforgedincommunityservice.Heloveshelpingtocreatethefutureforyoungmenandwomen.FindingMentorsandWaystoGiveBackESPRITPage11 FoothillsHonorsVeteransandServesItsCommunityByStacyAndersonPublicRelationsOfcerFoothillsCOFoothillsYoungMarinesmarchedintheCommerceCityParadeMemorialDayParade.Notonlydidtheymarchintheparadebutwith51strongintheunitthatdaytheyearnedSecondPlaceinthemarchingcategory.Foothillsimpressedthecrowdbyrecit-ingtheCreedandObligation.TheyalsoimpressedthejudgesbysingingtheNationalAnthem.ThenourunitdiddoubledutyforCommunityServiceonMe-morialDayWeekend.OnSaturdaywemetatGoldenCemeterywhereYoungMarinesandadultvolunteersplacedfagsonvet-eransgraves.Thenafterlunchwewalked1.5milesalong72ndAveinArvadaCOcleaninguptrashaspartofthecitysAdoptAStreetprogram.TheFoothillsunitonitswaytoputfagsinplaceAYoungMarinesTraditionHonoringVeteransonMemorialDayandthroughouttheyearPage12ESPRITAboveAsolemnmomentatGoldenCemetery.RightMarchinginCommerceCity. OurVietnamWarMemorialToRememberistoHonorByYMGySgtKyleAldridgeHeartofTexasOnthe28thofMarchmyunittheHeartofTexasYoungMarineswasin-vitedtoperformasunsetmemorialceremonyandcolorguardhonoringthebravemenandwomenwhofoughtanddiedduringtheVietnamWar.ThecolorguardwasperformedattheVietnamMe-morialPlazaindowntownWacoTX.Thememorialwhichwasestablishedin2004islocatedatthecornerofWash-ingtonAvenueandUniversityParksDrivealongthebanksoftheBrazosRiverandnearthehistoricWacoSuspensionBridge.Thememorialhasapark-likesettingandisidentiedbyacircularwallsignedwiththeinscriptionVietnamVeteransMemo-rial.Awalkwayleavestheplazaandleadsthroughaforestof68trees.Thetreeswereplantedinmemoryofthe68ser-vicemenfromWacoMcLennanCountywhodiedinVietnam.OnetreeringstandsemptyinrecognitionofthosestillMiss-inginAction.Threepavilionsarelocatedwithinthetreeseachonesymbolizingadifferentera.Pavilion1titledTheBeginningrepre-sentsourcountryandusasindividualsbeforethewar.AplaquestatesBeforethewarwewerewhole.Pavilion2titledTheConfictissimilartoPavilion1butistorndownandbro-kentorepresentthewaritselfitsde-structiontheturmoilthelossoflivesandthedivisivenesswithinourcountry.AplaquetherestatesTheVietnamwarbroughtdestructionandturmoil.ThelastpavilionisentitledTheHonor.ItsplaquestatesThesacricesofthosewehonormakethishallowedground.Letusstrivetoreuniteandheal.Thisdis-tinguishedmemorialpaystributetotheWacoMcLennanCountyservicemenandwomenwhogavetheirlivesduringtheVietnamWar.Thisceremonywasimpor-tantbecauseitwasonthenightbeforethersteverNationalVietnamMemorialDayandwasatWacosveryownVietnamMemorialsite.Atthebeginningoftheceremonyacolorguardpresentedtheags.IledthecolorguardanditincludedYMSSgtDakotaTurnerYMSSgtTrintonTurnerandYMCplKatieMarkham.WemarchedtothemiddleoftheplazafacedtheaudienceandpresentedthecolorssothattheattendeescouldrecitethePledgeofAllegianceandof-ciallystarttheceremony.Duringtheceremonyabriefhistoryofthemonumentwasgivenaswellasareadingofthenamesofthosekilleddur-ingthewar.Itwasemphasizedhowim-portantitwasthattherewasnallyaNa-tionalHolidayhonoringtheseveterans.ThespeakerthenaskedtheaudiencetoturnaroundandwatchastheAmericanandthePOWMIAagswereloweredtohalf-mastwheretheywouldremainuntilthefollowingMonday.ArecordingofTapswasplayedandthecolorguardpresenteditscolorsagain.Assoonastheagsreachedhalf-mastthespeakerutteredthememorablewordsTorememberistohonor.Atthisstate-mentIrealizedhowimportantitwastohaveparticipatedinthisonceinalife-timeevent.CrossRoadsYoungMarinesAttendRunForTheWallByMrs.CarrieRodmanAdjutantCrossRoadsTXTheCrossRoadsYoungMarinesofBigSpringTexaswelcomedveteransontheirwaytoWashingtonDCforMemorialDayatBigSpringsAnnualRunfortheWalleventonMay17th.RunfortheWallbeginswithmotorcyclistsfromCaliforniaandacrossthenationastravelingtowardtheeasttheyarejoinedbymoreandmoreridersalongthewaybeforearrivingatournationsCapitol.TheRunfortheWalleventpromoteshealingamongallvet-eransandtheirfamiliesandfriends.Itisinremembranceofveteransourprisonersofwarandthosekilledinactionfromallwarsandallbranchesofservice.CrossRoadsYoungMarineswereextremelyexcitedtobeapartofthisyearsevent.YoungMarinePFCRavenHoguinofCrossRoadsYoungMarinesassistedveteransinlayingofthewreathinremembranceatBigSpringsVietnamMemorialdur-ingtheRunfortheWall.ESPRITPage13 CrossRoadsHonoringNativeAmericanVeteransByMrs.CarrieRodmanAdjutantCrossRoadsTXCrossRoadsYoungMarinesofBigSpringTexashadthehonorofprovidingsomecommunityser-viceforthe10thAnnualPowWowonApril5thand6th.NotonlydidtheyhavethehonorofescortingourlocalNativeAmericanveter-ansbuttheyalsoaidedinpostingthecolorstobegintheceremony.TheNativeAmericanveteransdancersandtribeswerefromourlocalareaandalsofromAustinandMcAllenTexasandMes-caleroNewMexico.Ittrulywasanhonortoberecognizedforourhardworkfortheweekendandtocelebratethecultureheritageandspiritu-alityofNativeAmericans.OurYoungMarineshavebeenaskedtocontinuewiththeAnnualPowWowforfutureevents.Wewerehonoredtoparticipateandob-servedtheNativeAmericanlead-ersduringtheFlagSong.ThesongoriginatessfromtheperiodwhensomeNativeAmeri-cannationswouldhonortheea-glefeatherstaffsorleadersfromdifferentbandsofNativeAmeri-cannations.ThesacrednatureofthetreatiessignedwithsomegovernmentsmadeNativeAmericansdesiretohonortheU.S.aginsomemanner.TheFlagSongistheirStarSpangledBanner.Theper-formanceofthissongismeanttoturnthethoughtsandheartsofNativeAmericanstothefallenwarriorswhogavetheirlivesindefenseoftheUnitedStates.BySteveUretskyExecutiveOfcerMileHighCOOnMemorialDaytheMileHighYoungMarinesparticipatedintheremembranceceremoniesattheLittletonCOCemeteryandtheLittletonWorldWarIIMemorial.Eachceremonywasperformedandattendedbymanyveteransandtheirfamilies.SomewereVeter-ansofForeignWarsmemberssomewereAmericanLegionmembersandotherswerejusttheretocom-memoratethesacricesofourmanymilitarymenandwomenformorethan200years.AspeopleenteredandlefteachceremonyItooktheopportunitytosaythankyouforyourservicetoafewofthoseparticipatingandattending.Ididthatrandomlywhenitseemedappropriate.DuringtherstceremonyandthroughoutthedayIcouldnothelpbutthinkofsomebodyIneverthankedamanwhowasmyheromyDad.HefoughtinWorldWarIIandlostmostofhisleftleginNorthAfrica.GrowingupIneverreallyaskedhimaboutitandIdontrecallhimtellingstoriesaboutiteither.ItwasntcustomaryamongWorldWarIIveteranstodiscusscombatex-periences.Ihadneverthankedhimforhisservice.MyDadplayedsoftballwithusoccasionally.Webowledonthesameteamonesummer.AndhewasmyplayingpartnerthersttimeIshotan80ingolfanditwasntminiaturegolfeither.Inshortheneverlethisdisabilityaffectthefam-ily.HewasagreatDad.Ilearnedanawfullotfromhimandmisshimtothisdayhepassedawayin1986.Ihavetheagfromhisfuneral.Itisproudlydisplayedinourlivingroom.ThatsonewayIcon-tinuetohonorhim.IhopeIhavealsohonoredhimbythewayIvelivedmylifemostlyjusttryingtobeagoodpersonandtohelpothers.SomaybeIhavebeenthank-inghiminthatwayandyoucanbesureIlltrytocontinuetodoso.ButjustincaseIdliketotakethisopportunitytosaythanksDadforyourservice.Youvealwaysinspiredmeandyoualwayswill.IjusthopehecanhearmewhenIthankacurrentorformersoldierfortheirservicebecauseImreallysayingthankyoutohimtoo.RestinpeaceDadandsayhitoMomformetoo.AManWhoINeverThankedforHisService-MyDadByYMPFCNicholasPelzBuckleyFieldCOEverymonthveYoungMarinesfrommyunitgototheFortLoganCemeterytogivehonorstothepeoplethatdidnotgethonorswhentheywereburied.Thisisaveryimportanteventforourunitbecauseitallowsustogivethepeoplethatdiedforourcountrytherecognitionandthanksthattheydeserve.ThiseventalsoallowsustoshowthatwecareaboutthegreatprivilegethatwehavetoliveasfreeAmericans.IgoeverytimeIhavetheopportunityanditisaverymovingexperienceeverytime.IwillcontinuetodothiseventuntilIcandoitnolonger.Tohearthenamesofallthepeoplethathavediedserv-ingourcountrygivesusanenduringsenseofgratitude.BelatedHonorsattheFortLoganCemeteryPage14ESPRIT HonorFlightsAnotherWaytoHonorVeteransByYMPFCAmyHiottUpstateSCTheUpstateYoungMarinesofGreenvilleSouthCarolinahavetakenpartinthehomecomingofHonorFlightVeteransforthelasteightyears.TwiceayearinfallandspringtheHonorFlighttakesoffearlyinthemorningfromGreenville-SpartanburgIn-ternationalAirport.Therearegroupsofvolunteersandpatrioticcitizenspresentateachtriptoseethemoff.TherearedifferentgroupsROTCschoolmarch-ingbandsScoutsetc.amongthecrowdtowel-comethelocalveteranshomeupontheirreturn.OurunitisinthatsecondgrouplinedupoutonthetarmacstandingtallandsalutingtothoseWorldWarIIandKoreanWarveteranswhodeservethehomecomingwelcomeoftheheroestheywillalwaysbe.ManyofourunithavejoinedtheYoungMarinesbecausetheyarefollowinginthefootstepsoffamilymemberswhohaveservedourcountry.AllareinvolvedfortheloveoftheUnitedStatesandforthehonortobeaYoungMarine.Itisagreatopportunitytobeinvolvedinanorganizationwhichallowsustopersonallythankthosewhoriskedtheirlivesandmadesac-ricesforourfreedoms.Thereissomethingveryspecialaboutbeinginthepresenceofthesemenandwomenbuttoseethemreturninghomefromareallymeaningfuldayfullofmemories-bothgoodandbittersweetandexcitedtobebackhomeandsharetheirexperiencewiththeirlovedonesthatismagical.TheveteransspendafulldayvisitingsitesinWashingtonDCandtheyreturnexhaustedbutclearlyveryhappy.YoungMarineshandoutthankyoucerticatesandwitnessspecialmomentsofadaytheseveteranshavewaitedtoexperience.SometimestheveteranswillstoptosalutebackandshakethehandofaYoungMarine.Itisabeautifulsightseeingtheyoungandyoung-of-heartto-gether.Thereisnogenerationgaptobridgejustlike-mindedpeopleofallageslovingourwonderfulcountryanddoingwhattheycantoserve.Itisanhonortobeapartofthisgreatevent.MileHighWeRemembertheMeaningofMemorialDayByYMLCplSarahJanaeShepherdandPVTPeytonBlitsteinMileHighCOOnMemorialDayMileHighYoungMa-rinesmetattheLittletonColoradoCem-eterytopaytributetothefallensoldiersfrompastwars.Wemetsomeamazingpeoplewhohadmadeconsiderablesacri-cesservingourcountry.Therewerealsofamilymemberswhohadlosthusbandssonsdaughtersandwives.Thatwaspos-siblythemostmovingpointofinterest.Wheneveronemakesthegreatestsacricefortheircountrytheyarenottheonlyonesaffected.Whileweenjoyourfreedomtheirfamiliesendurethelossofanimportantfamilymember.Wehandedoutprogramstoallthevisitors.Someveteransreadpoemsandgavespeeches.Manyofthespeechesmadeweredeepandinsightful.TheyremindedusaboutpartsofMemorialDaythathavebeenforgottenovertheyears.TheirwordsemphasizedtheimportanceofallpeoplewhofoughtforAmericasfreedom.Therewereseveralpoemsthatwerereadthatbroughttearstooureyes.Itwasaserioussombereventbutveryimportantbothtothememoryofthefall-enandtohonorthewarriorsstillwithus.Thereweremorethanathousandpeopleinattendance.TherearestillpeoplewhoknowthetruemeaningofMemorialDay.AndtolistentothemwastounderstandwhatMemorialDaytrulyisaboutadaytohonorthememoryofthosewhogavetheirlives.Itwasaveryspecialday.MembersoftheMileHighYoungMarinesandapotentialrecruitstandwithmembersoftheAmericanLegionandVFWattheLittletonColoradoWorldWarIIMemorial.OnMay18thTheWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesplacedAmericanFlagsonthegravesofveterans.AfewweekslatertheWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesmarchedinthe65thannualKenmore-TonawandaMemorialDayParadeinKenmoreNY.WewerehonoredthattheTownofTonawandaYouthParksandRecreationDepartmentMil-tonJ.BrounshidleAmericanLegionPost205HarryE.CrosbyVeteransofForeignWarsPost2472andtheVillageofKen-moresponsorsofthisincredibleparadechoseusaspartoftheEscortDivision.--SubmittedbyJudyLinkWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesWesternNewYorkAMonthofRemembranceESPRITPage15 youngmarinesshareafewthoughtsaboutOpportunitiestogrowtravelandtolearn.Solidcorevalues.Discipline.HerearesomeofthethingsourYoungMarineshavediscovered...motivationinspirationYoungMarinesItsAllAbouttheFutureandMeByYMCplBrookeMontgomeryMountainViewCOWhenItellpeopleabouttheYoungMarinesIalwaysgettheWowreactionbuttheresadeepermeaningbehindbe-ingaYoungMarine.Thisconsistsofpreparationforjobslearninghowtosur-viveandrespectingpeople.Somemightsayyoucantprepareforajobatayoungage.Wellpromotionboardsuniforminspectionsandtheabilitytoteachothersismoreprepa-rationthanyoumightthink.Promotionboardsarealotlikelearningwhatisexpectedofyouandknowinghowtomaintainaprofessionalappearanceatyourjob.Iamsurewhateverjobyouhaveyouhavetowearcertainattire.ItsthesameforaYoungMarine.Yourabilitytoteachothersispartofyoursetofleadershipskills.Ifyouwanttoserveinthemilitaryoneoftheskillsmostvaluedisleadershipsothisisan-otherwaytoprepareforthefuture.Everybodyneedstolearnhowtosurvivebutlearningitatayoungerageisbet-ter.AsaYoungMarineIlearnwhattodowhenIgetlostandhowtosurviveinanopeneld.WhataboutkeepingahealthybodyWellYoungMarineslearnaboutcarbsandnourishmentinordertostayashealthyaspossible.Speakingofhealthywealsolearnhowtoescapepeerpres-sureandtheabuseofgatewaydrugs.ButoneofthemostimportantpartsofbeingaYoungMarineishowyoursenseofrespectandattitudechange.WhenIsayrespectImeanrespectingeldersparentspeersetc.Notjustthatalsoitsaboutgivingback.CommunityserviceisimportanttotheYoungMarinesespeciallyassistingToysforTots.Communityservicemeansgivingbacktoveteransandpeoplewhohaveservedandareservingourcoun-try.Respecttowardsyourselfandotherschangesyourlifecompletely.SonowyouhaveabetterunderstandingwhatitmeanstobeaYoungMarineandwhatitcandotohelpyouinthefuture.TheresadeepermeaningbehindbeingaYoungMarine.BeinginYoungMarineshasHelpedandGuidedMeByYMLCplXanderTamblynMountainViewCOTheYoungMarineshashelpedmeworkthroughsomedifculttimeswithfriendsandschool.TheYoungMarineshasalsoguidedmeinmydecisiontohaveamilitarycareer.Ihavelearnedmanythingswiththehelpofmyunitrespectdisciplineperseveranceandthevalueofvolunteeringandhelpingothersinmycom-munity.Someofmyfavoritevolunteerserviceoppor-tunitieswithmyunitareToysforTotsMemo-rialDayWeekendobservancesandlastbutnotleastNavajoCodeTalkerDay.ToysforTotsisawonderfulprogram.Ienjoyknowingthatthehoursweallspendarego-ingtowardshelpingchildrenhaveawonderfulChristmasandhavingagiftunderthetree.MemorialDayWeekendhasbeenagreatex-periencebecauseIenjoyhonoringourveterans.Iloveplacingtheagsontheheadstonesandwatchingthefamiliesofthedeceasedveteransattendingtheceremonythatisheld.Ourunittakesagreatdealofeffortinhonoringtheveter-ansbyraisingtheagssettingupandcleaningandpickinguptheagsthefollowingday.NavajoCodeTalkerDayhasbeensuchanhonorformyunitaswellasafewotherunitsinthecountry.WetakegreatprideinthefactthatweasYoungMarinesaretheonlyNon-Navajopar-ticipantsintheceremony.IhavelearnedthattheNativeAmericanslivingtodayhelpedourcountryachievevictoryinWorldWarII.IlearnedhowtheNavajolanguagewasusedtocarrymes-sagesthroughthewar.Ialsohadtheopportu-nitytoseeaveryimportantspiritualrocktotheNavajosWindowRockinArizona.IwillneverforgetWindowRockandIfeelspecialinsharingandexperiencingthisverysacredpartoftheirculture.preparationforthefuture...Page16ESPRIT TheresNoOtherProgramLikeYoungMarinesByYMPVTAustenWebberMountainViewCOIntheYoungMarinesprogramIhavegainedfriendshipsthatIhaveneverhadbefore.IfeellikepeoplegenuinelycareaboutmeAllofthekidsandadultstaffattheMountainViewYoungMarinesarelikeasecondfamilyandIwoulddoanythingtohelphonororprotectanyoneofthem.Wearedevelopingabroth-erhoodthatwilllastalifetime.ForaslongasIcanrememberIhavewantedtohaveamilitarycareerwhenIgrowup.IhaverecentlydecidedthatIwouldliketojointheMarineCorpsaf-terIgraduatefromhighschool.IbelievethattheYoungMarinesishelpingtopre-paremeforthisinmanyways.Wearebecomingstrongerleadersinourhomesschoolsneighborhoodsandcommunitiesthroughourweeklydrillandphysicalt-nesstrainingleadershiptrainingsemi-narsDrugDemandReductiontrainingandcommunityserviceprojects.IhavealwaysbeendrawntotheMa-rineCorps.IjustlovelearningabouttheMarinesandIenjoyreadingbookswatchingdocumentariesandlisteningtostoriesaboutitshistory.IamsogratefulfortheopportunitiesIhavehadtohonorourveteransinlocalceremoniesandpa-rades.Wearetrainedbyanamazingstaff.IamsothankfultoUnitCommanderTrentWa-tersandExecutiveOfcerKevanSharpaswellasalloftheotheradultvolunteersforthetimeandefforttheygiveweekafterweektohelpusbecomebetteryoungmenandwomen.Ourunithasthegreateststaffever.Ihavesomuchrespectforthem.ThesearethebiggestreasonswhyIlovetheYoungMarines.Inmyopinionthereisnootherprogramlikeit.SemperFipreparationforthefuture...IWishIHadJoinedThisProgramMuchEarlier...ByYMLCplSebastianDoddOregonCascadeORItisnotpossibletoexplainthefullexperienceofbeingaYoungMarine.AlotofpeopleaskmetodescribetheYoungMarinesbutitishardtoexplaintheprogramtosomeonewith-outshowingthemsomeexamplesofhowitworksinourlives.WhenIjoinedtheYoungMarinesIcarriednodisciplineandbarelyhadanyrespectforothers.OverthecourseofrecruittrainingIdiscoveredmanyYoungMarinerolemodelsandwasinspiredtobelikethem.IknewIcouldnotachievethatwith-outapplyingsomechangestomydailylifestyle.BeingaYoungMarineisa24hoursaday7daysaweekjobbothinandoutofuniform.ItrequiresyoutoknowhowtobeanexampleforothersandthensettinganexampleforallotheryouthstofollowasstatedintherstlineoftheObligation.IwishIhadjoinedthisprogrammuchearlierbutIdidnotrealizethebenetsitwouldprovideandtheskillsIcouldlearntoprepareformyfuture.Opportunitiestolearnandgrowoc-curatweekenddrillsandencampmentswiththeotherYoungMarinesthatIconsiderfamily.ThefriendshipsthatIvemadeintheprogramareunforgettableandwilllastalifetime.ProvidingtheMotivationToDotheBestICanByYMPFCAustinMillerOregonCascadeORTheYoungMarinesprogramhaschangedmeinmanyways.IamnowpartofsomethingbiggerthanmyselfandIhaveop-portunitiestoexplorenewthingsandtheworld.IdothingsIneverthoughtpossible.TheseexperienceshavechangedhowIactseeandthinkofthings.Ihaveabetterunderstand-ingofhowotherplacesaredifferentfromwhereIlive.Iamnowexcitedtolearnnewthings.IjoinednotknowingverymuchofhistoryorMarineCorpshistory.DuringthelastthreeyearsIhavelearnedmuchhistoryandIhaveabetterunderstandingofwhattheworldhastooffer.BeforejoiningYoungMarinesIlackedselfcondencesocialskillsself-esteemmotivationandinteg-rity.TheYoungMarinesmademeabetterperson.NowIknowhowwhenIdothingswiththemotivationtodothebestIcanitcanchangemeasaperson.Ihavemadefantasticfriendsandbeeninspiredbyadultswhohavechangedmylifeinmanywaysthatwillforeverstaywithme.TheYoungMarineshasfocusedmeonhavingadrug-freelifestylebeingaleaderandgenerallypreparingmeforlife.IamabetterpersonbyhavingthetechnicalskillsandthelifeskillsIhavelearned.SurvivalskillssuchasremakingsheltermakinghowtopackitemsinabagmapandcompassskillsandsomuchmorehavebecomethetopicsIlovetodiscussthemost.IngeneraltheYoungMarinesmadewanttolearnandbecomebetterateverythingIdo.Itryhardertodomybest.MostimportantlyIhavelearnedthatwithoutriskingfailurethereisnosuccessandwithouttheriskoffailuresuccessdoesnotfeelasgood.Ihavelearnedthatwithoutriskingfailurethereisnosuccessandwithouttheriskoffailuresuccessdoesnotfeelasgood.Wearebecomingstrongerleaders...ESPRITPage17 motivationinspirationthevalueswelearn...DisciplinePartofWhatMakesUsYoungMarinesByYMSgtPhilipMesaOregonCascadeORAsYoungMarinesweneedtohaveself-discipline.ItispartofwhatmakesusYoungMarines.Itpreparesusforfuturesuccesses.Thestrengthtocompletere-cruittrainingfollowourcorevaluesandupholdourcreedandobligationallre-quireself-discipline.Withdisciplinewecanalsomakeourmindandbodystron-gerforfuturechallenges.Self-disciplineisourabilitytocontrolourbehaviorourthoughtsandourattitude.Itbringsstructuretoourlivesenablesourmindtobereadyandisanecessarypartofourlives.Livingalifewithoutself-disciplinewouldbemakeitdifculttoachieveourgoals.Aschildrenwelearnthatself-disciplinecanhelpusgetwhatwewant.Asyoungadultswecanpreparetobuildourfuturewithself-discipline.Whenwemakegooddecisionsandworkhardwecanbuilduponoursuccessestogetwhatwewantinlife.Self-disciplinekeepsusgoingwhenwewanttogiveupandhelpsusmeetchallenges.Havingself-disciplineisessentialtoachievingourobjectiveswhenwefaceobstacles.Self-disciplineteachesustobeourownmotivatorandcheerleader.Wellpushharderdotherightthingandgainpersonalsatisfactionfromourachievements.Self-disciplinehaschangedmylife.Ithasallowedmetobecomemoreso-cial.IamsuccessfulinschoolduetothedisciplineIusetomakesureIstudyandcompleteassignmentswellandontime.Ihaveuseddisciplinetohelpmestickwithtasksandbecomeabetterpersonthusenablingmetoalsoachievepromo-tionsintheYoungMarines.OfthethreecorevaluesoftheYoungMarinesIthinkdisciplineistheoneweneedrstinor-dertobethebestpossibleteammemberandleader.HowtheYoungMarinesHelpsMewithSportsByYMPFCNoahKelloggOregonCascadeORBeingaYoungMarinehasbroughtanewsenseofmotivationtome.Prac-ticeisatimetoimproveyourselfasanathletebutitshardtoimprovewithoutmotivation.WhenIjoinedtheYoungMa-rinesIlackedmotivation.Aftergraduat-ingrecruittrainingIfeltlikeIwasabletogetthingsdoneandachievemygoalsinlife.Myinstructorsandfellowrecruitsmotivatedmetoimprovemyself.Thisnewfeelingofaccomplishmentmademeeagertogooutandtrynewsports.ItriedlacrosseanditturnsoutthatIloveit.DuringpracticeourcoachmakesusworkhardandInoticesomeplayersnotputtinginasmucheffort.OfcourseIgettiredtoobutImotivatemy-selfandpushthroughit.Whenaplayerfallsbehindallplayersmotivatehim.Disciplineisanotherhugethingthathashelpedmeontheeld.Insteadofhav-ingconversationswithplayersIfocusonthegameorwhatevermycoachhastosaytous.ThecoachestakenoticeofthisandIfeelthattheygivememorerespectbecauseofthedisciplineIdemonstratetothem.Teamworkisthemostimportantthingontheeld.TheYoungMarinesshowedmeanewsidetoteamworkandallowedmetogetoutofthemindframethatIamtheonlyoneontheeld.Iamabletoworkbetterwithnotjustmyteambutmyclassmatesaswell.Imnotafraidtostepupandsuggestwhattodowhentheballcomestowardsmysideoftheeld.BeingadefenderIhavetocommunicatealotandtheYoungMarineshashelpedmewithspeakingupandlettingmyteamknowwhatsgoingon.NewFriendshipsLearningTeamworkandLifeSkillsByYMLCplDanielleGarciaMountainViewCOYoungMarinesIhavebeenintheYoungMarineprogramforayear.Ihavelearnedalotfromtheprogramandbeenabletoexperiencemanydifferentthings.WhenIcametoYoungMarinesthersttimemyheartwasntinit.WhileintheprogramIvebecomeveryfondofit.YoungMarinestaughtmecolorguardmapandcompassskillsdrillandIhadthechancetomeetNavajoCodeTalkers.IlikethatYoungMarinesoffersstructureanddisciplineshowingkidsthattheydontneeddrugs.Staffisalwayswillingtohelpandshowthattheycare.Theyshowustohavere-spectformenandwomenwhohaveservedorareservinginthemilitary.Welearntorespecteveryoneaboveuseveniftheyareyounger.IlikeYoungMarinesbecausewemeetnewpeopleandstartnewfriendships.Youlearnaboutdifferentthingsandgainlifeskillsanddevelopleader-shipdisciplineandteamworkskills.YoungMarinesisaprogramthatletsyoulearnmorethingsthatwillhelpinthefuture.Itsagoodprogramthatsupportskidsnomatterwhatbutatthesametimeteachesyoungpeoplethatthereareconsequencesfortheiractions.LeftMountainViewYoungMarinesgatherforbottledwaterandMREs.Page18ESPRIT webecomeapartofsomethingbigger...GrowingandHelpingOtherstoLearnandProsperByYMCplKodyJohnsonMountainViewCOSinceIjoinedtheYoungMarinesin2012therehavebeenmanyamaz-ingopportunitiesthatIhaveenjoyed.Oftheseopportunitiesonestandsout.ItisthateveryweekIhavetheopportunitytolearnandgrowalongsidethoseinmyunit.ThisisimportanttomebecauseifitwerentforthefriendshipsthatIhavegainedIknowthatIwouldnthavetheexperiencestogrowasaleaderandYoungMarine.AsIlookbackIcanseehowIveevolved.Iwentfromdoinglessthansatisfactoryinschoolandbeingoutofshapeandoverweight.Since2012withthehelpfromtheYoungMarinesinmyunitIhaveshedtheweightandachievedmoreinschool.ThroughtheirhelpIhavealsobeenabletolearnthatthisprogramisnotaboutjusthavingindividualgrowth.Itsalsobeingabletoencourageotherstolearnandprosperaswell.IDidntKnowWhattoExpectintheBeginning...ByYMPFCMatthewKrnetaMountainViewCOWhenIrstsignedupIdidntknowwhattoexpectThenatFridaydrop-offtheUCcameoutgivingordersandIwasterriedWehurriedin.AfterawhileIstartedhavingfun.Weplayedgameshadsnacksandwenttobed.ThenextmorningwewoketotheUCgivingorderstodosit-upspush-upscurlupspull-upsandrunamile.AfterthatwehadfunlearningCPRFirstAidandBasic.Igotribbonsforallthree.WewenthomeonSunday.ThenextweekendwelearnedabouttheYoungMarineshistoryandranks.Wetookatest.DuringthisweekendwealsodidFieldDayandIlearnedthatFieldDayisntquiteasfunasitsoundsyouresupposedtocleaneverywhere.AtgraduationIhadthehighestPTscoreinmyclassIscored495outof500.AndthatswhereIreceivedtheribbons.SincegraduationIveenjoyedgoingtodrilleveryMondaybecauseIlearnedaboutDDRandhowalcoholandothergatewaydrugscanbebadforyou.IalsogottoattendtheVeteransDayParadeandhadtheopportunitytorideontheIwoJimaoat.WevebeenswimmingandattendedtheSt.PatricksDayPa-radeaswellastheElkFoundationColorGuardeventwhichwasmyrstcolorguard.InconclusionIvehadagreattimelearningmeetingnewfriendsandfunexperienceseventhoughIdidntknowwhattoexpectinthebeginning.ThreeYearsofGreatExperiencesintheYoungMarinesByYMCplSpencerH.DoyleOPSOYoungMarinesLAIjoinedtheYoungMarineswhenIwas8yearsold.IwasalittlehesitanttogoatrstbecauseIdidnotknowanythingabouttheprogram.MymomsaidIwouldhavefun.becauseIwouldlearnalotofnewthingsandgettomeetalotofnewpeople.SincebeingintheYoungMarinesIhavehadagreatexperienceandIhavelearnedwhatitmeanstohaveleadershipskillsandlearndisciplineandteamwork.Learningthesenewthingshashelpedmealotinschool.YoubeginintheYoungMarinespro-gramasarecruit.Asyoucontinuewiththemyoucanmoveupinrankbyre-ceivingpromotionsbydoingwhatisex-pectedofyouanddoingmorethanwhatisexpectedofyou.Ihavebeeninthisprogramforthreeyears.IamcurrentlyaCorporalandIamhopingtohavetheopportunitytoattendtheJuniorLeader-shipSchool.AsaYoungMarineIhavebeenmadeawareofalotofgreatopportunitiesthatIwouldnothavebeenabletoexperi-enceifIwasnotapartofthisprogram.ForinstanceIhavebeentoPensacolaFloridawhereIhadthechancetoexperi-encewhatitwasliketoliveonamilitarybase.WhilethereIwasabletospeakwithmilitarypersonnelandseeandgoaboardtheUSSDruminAlabama.AnotheropportunityIhadwastogotoBunkieLouisiana.IwasabletogoswimminglearnarcherylearnhowtouseacompassandworkalongsideotherYoungMarinesfromaroundthecountry.IalsohadtheopportunitytomeettheDivisionYoungMarinesandtheNationalYoungMarineoftheYearwhicharethehighesthonorsyoucanachieveintheYoungMarinesprogram.MyexperienceatBunkiewasamazingandveryenter-taining.OneofthemanythingsIlikeabouttheYoungMarinesishowallofthecommandersencourageandguideyouthroughouttheprogram.TheYoungMa-rinesprogramhasbeenagreatexperi-enceformeandIamlookingforwardtomovingupinitsranksTravellingandLearningAboutAmericanHistoryByYMCPLBradleyArranceMountainViewCOMyrstS.P.A.C.E.S.tripwastheGreatAmericanHistoryAdventure.Itwasdur-ingthesummerof2013Itisalsomyfa-voriteexperienceinYoungMarines.WetravelledtovedifferentstatesandIwasabletovisitalmosttheentireeastcoast.IhavesomanygreatmemoriesanditleftanimpactonthewayIthinkofourcountryshistory.TherewassomuchtoseeandwegottoseeeverythingfromthechangeofguardceremonytowalkingaroundTimesSquare.IrecommendeveryYoungMarinetogoonthistripiftheygetthechance.ThisexperiencewasunforgettableandIwishIcouldgoagain.ESPRITPage19 motivationinspirationMyFirstYearICantWaittoOutrankMyDadByYMPFCRioSaenzSacramentoCAIjoinedtheYoungMarinesinMay2013threemonthsafterturning8andwhatanamazingyearithasbeen.IusedtoplayalotofvideogamesbutnowIworklearnandgettogetherwithmyfellowYoungMarinesforfun.Wevolunteerinourcommunitymarchinparadesanduseteamworkwhilelearningdisciplineanddevelopingleadershipskills.Graduatingrecruittrainingandearningmyuniformwasoneofthebestdaysofmylife.SincethenIveearnedawardsspecialribbonsandmademanynewfriends.IvehadthechancetovisitwithYoungMa-rinesinothercities.Ihikedmorethan7mileswiththeGaltYoungMarinesandonarecenttriptovisitfamilyinSanDiegoIhadanopportunitytotourMarineCorpsRecruitDepotandjoinanencampmentwiththeNorthSanDiegoYoungMarines.Theyareaphenomenalunitandtheytreatedmelikeoneoftheirown.Weenjoyedtwodaysofpurefun.WehikedtothetopofamountainprayedplayedgamesroastedsmoresandIlearnedaboutresafetymarksmanshiplandnavigationeldqualica-tionsandsomuchmore.WhilevisitingmygreatuncleDannySaenzaretiredMa-rinewhoearnedmanymedalsinhiscareeroneofhisfriendsstoppedby.ImetGilbertH.Bolton.GunnerBoltonhasaverystronghandshakeandwasdecoratedforvalorwithaSilverStarinVietnam.Hetoldmetostaydisciplinedlovemycountryworkhardalwaysdomybestandneverquit.IamverygratefultobeanAmericanandproudtohaveearnedthetitleofYoungMarinePFCandIcantwaittooutrankmydad.SemperFidelisAnUnforgettableUnitTriptoSanDiegoByYMSgtMatthewWhittierMountainViewCOIjoinedtheYoungMarinesin2009whenIwas10yearsold.Iamnow15yearsoldandIamaSergeant.YoungMarineshasbecomeanintegralpartofmylifeforthepastveyears.TherehavebeensomanygreatexperiencestheoneexperiencethatIwillrememberfortherestofmylifewasatriptoSanDiegowithmyYoungMarinesunit.WetookabustoCaliforniafromDenverColoradoittookusmorethan24hourstoreachSanDiego.EverydaywaspackedwithexperiencessuchastouringMCASMiramarandgoingaboardtheUSSMidway.Wespentsometimeatthebeachandalmostallofuswerestungbyjellysh.WewerealsoluckyenoughtobeabletoseeaMarineCorpsgraduationwhichwasanincredibleexperience.SomeofthethingswedidwereexclusiveopportunitiesthatcouldneverbegrantedtoaciviliansuchasstayingatCampPendletongoingontheMarineCorpsobstaclecourseandgettingtotourtheUSSBoxer.WhenoureightdaytripwasoverwecamebacktoDenver.Ithinkofthisexperienceoftenandwillneverforgetit.IdenitelyseemyselfcontinuingwiththeYoungMarinesuntilInishhighschool.opportunitiestotravel...VisitingaMarineCorpsRecruitDepotGraduationByYMCplLukeSmithNorthSanDiegoCASeveralYoungMarinesinmyunithadavacationdayfromschool.WechosethatFridaytovisittheMarineCorpsRecruitDepotinSanDiegotowatchagraduationceremony.WewerepermittedtowalkaroundtheParadeDeckbecauseciviliansarentallowedtowalkonit.Itsconsideredsacredground.Wewereinspection-readyinouruniformsaswelookedforplacestosit.Whilewewerewalkinginfrontofthebleach-ersthecrowdstartedtocheerandapplaudus.WewereinvitedbyLtColCarlosCommandingOfcerofThirdRe-cruitTrainingBattaliontositintheVIPsectionintheReviewingStand.WeenjoyedwatchingandlisteningtotheMarineCorpsBandastheyperformedrightinfrontofwherewewereseated.ThenthesixPlatoonsthatmadeupLimaCompanydidaPassandReview.ItmademewanttopracticemydrillTheywerereallygood.ThePlatoonGuidesworetheirDressBlueUniformsandtheycer-emoniouslyreturnedtheguidonstotheDrillInstructors.AfterthenewbasicMarinesweredismissedtheDrillInstructorsshookourhands.ThenwewentthroughtheCom-mandMuseumandhadlunchdownbytheSanDiegoBay.IwasproudofmycountrythatdayandfeltveryfortunatetobeabletowitnessthoserecruitsreachingtheirgoalsofbecomingUnitedStatesMa-rinesearningtherighttoweartheEagleGlobeandAnchor.NorthSanDiegoYoungMarinesvisitaMarinesCorpsgraduationceremony.Page20ESPRIT TheDrivetoSetHisGoalsandToAchieveThemByKennethD.OttleyUnitCommanderPFCBruceW.CarterYoungMarinesofMiami-DadeFLYoungMarineSSgtMylesOttleyhasbeenaYoungMarinesince2009.Hehasalwaysbeenanavidsportsmanandathlete.Unfortunatelyfor2ofthelast5yearshewasunabletocom-peteduetoarecurringheelinjury.AsaresulthewasalsonotabletoattendJLS.NotunlikemanyYoungMarineshehasen-duredandovercomemanyobstaclesinhislife.Onethinghehasneverbeenabletodoisgiveup.Whilehealingheper-formedhisdutiesasaYoungMarineconsistentlystrivingforexcellence.In2011hewasclearedtoparticipateinsports.Sincethenhehasbeenbuildinghisbodyandstaminaprepar-ingtomeethischallenges.In2013heattendedthe5thDivisionLeadershipAcademy.Performingfarpasthisownexpectationshesethisfuturegoalsevenhigher.Hesethisgoalonthe2014SpartanRace.HewasgoingtoenterandcompletetheSpartanrace.HisnextgoalwastoachieveaperfectPFTscore.ThispastAprilYoungMarineSSgtOttleyaccomplishedhisrstgoalandcompletedthe2014MiamiSpartanRace.OnSaturdayMay14YMSSgtOttleyaccomplishedhissecondgoalscoringaperfect500ontheYMPFT.YMSSgtOttleyistherstYoungMarinetoachieveaPerfectPFTintheHistoryofthePFCBruceW.CarterUnit.HeiscompletinghisfreshmanyearatEv-ergladesHighSchoolinMiramarFlorida.HeisaLET1inJROTCandJuniorVarsitylinebackerforthefootballteam.HisplansnextyeararejointheKeyClubandNationalHonorSociety.Hehasmain-taineda3.89GPA.YoungMarinesSparkingMyInterestinHistoryByPFCJoshuaFuentesMountainViewCODuringmytimeintheYoungMarinesIveexperiencedmanyfunthingsincludinglearningYoungMarinesandMarineCorpshistorydoingfunactivitiesandlearningtohaveahealthierlifestyle.FirstofalllearningabouttheYoungMarinesandMarineCorpshistoryhasimprovedmyknowledgegreatly.AfterallthesestudiesIvegrowninthatarea.IhavelearnedthattheworldisfullofknowledgeandthehistoryIvestudiedwiththeYoungMarinesisfascinating.Thisgrouphasdrivenmyinterestinlearningmoreabouthistory.SecondlytherearethegreatlyamusingactivitieswedoasYoungMarines.LetssaythatImhavingabaddayYoungMa-rinesactivitieshelpmehavefunandgetmeinabettermood.Sometimeswemayhaveanactivitythatwillhelpuswithoureldskillssuchaswhenwebuildshelters.OnetimeweplayedCapturetheFlagwhichhelpeduswithourteamworkskills.Thirdlyandmaybethemostimportanttomewasthehealthclassonlivingabetterlife.BeforeIjoinedYoungMarinesIusedtoeatlargeamountsofsugarandnotworkitoff.Nowmyeyeshavebeenopenedtothebenetsofeatinghealtherfoodsandstayingt.Thiswillallowustolivealongandhealthylifeanddomoreexcitingthings.HealthasIseeitnowisoneofthemostimportantthingsinlife.InconclusionIvelearnedalotfromhistorytoeatinghealthy.WithouttheYoungMarineswhoknowswhatIdbedoingwith-outthedisciplinethathasguidedmeByYMSgtTommySillOregonCascadeORThissummerIplantoattendattendSeniorLeadershipSchoolSLSandthentheNationalEncampmentinOklahoma.AsIbeginpreparingforSLSIthinkbacktoSpringBreakof2013whenIwasnervousandfullofanticipationasIwasonmywaytoJu-niorLeadershipSchoolJLSinMerlainOregon.WouldIbeabletokeepupwiththedemandsWouldIpassthePFTandothertestsgivenmeWouldIgetintroubleWouldIgetsickorhomesickWouldIhatebeingthereCouldImay-bebegoodenoughtobethehonorgraduateDidIforgetanygearYesIdidbutanolderYoungMarinehelpedme.IdiscoveredwhenIgottherethatyesitwasdifcultbutImadesomenewfriendsandgottoseewhatotherunitsarelike.Ipassedeverythingjustne.WhenIgothomeIdidntrealizeallIhadlearnedinthattime.WhenIwenttoJLSIwasaCorporalbutnowIamaSergeant.WiththeincreaseinrankIvehadanincreaseinleadershipresponsibilitiesandduties.ReectingbackonJLSInowseethattheywerepreparingustobeleadersandhowtomanagethestressthatcomeswithbeinginaleadershiprole.JLStaughtmetobemoreresponsiblethatwasthehardestpartformeandIlearnedthatyouneedtorelyonyourteammatestobemosteffective.IamlookingforwardtoSLS.IknowtherewillbenewchallengesbutthistimeIlookforwardtoitwithex-citementandanticipationofwhatIcanlearnandbringbacktotheunit.AlthoughIwilladmitthereissomethingIfearVirginiaheatandhumidity.SothoughIforgottopackmysweatshirtforJLSIwillbecer-taintopackmysunscreenforSLS.AnticipatingtheChallengesatLeadershipSchoolInowseethattheywerepreparingustobeleadersandhowtomanagethestressthatcomeswithbeinginaleadershiproleLeftMylesOttley...learningtofacechallengesESPRITPage21 TRUECOLORSAColorGuardSparksanInterestintheYoungMarinesByLCplEmmaMortonOregonCascadeORIntheFallofmyfreshmanyearwhilelivinginBillingsMontanamymothertookmealongwithhertotheBigSkyHonorFlightforWorldWarIIveteranswhoareowntoWashingtonDC.AsIwasstandingwithmymotherIlookedaroundandsawhundredsofpeo-plebutthroughthecrowdIsawags.OneIrecognizedinstantlywastheAmer-icanagbuttheotheronewasnotonethatIhadseenbefore.ItwasyellowandredandreadBillingsYoungMarines.SoIwentcloserandsawthatitwasjustKIDSholdingtheagsandonthesideofthemweretwomorekidsholdingries.IthoughtWhatThoselittlekidscantbeinthemilitaryIaskedmymotherandshesaidthattheywereperformingacolorguardfortheveterans.AftertheceremonymymotherandIspokewiththosekidsandwiththeUnitCommanderofthisYoungMarinesunit.WhenIaskedwhatYoungMarineswashesaiditwasayouthorganizationpro-motingadrug-freelifestyle.MymotherandIwenttoadrillandlearnedmoreabouttheYoungMarinesfoundoutwhenrecruittrainingstartedandhowmuchitcost.IthoughtaboutquittingmanytimesbutIamgladIdidnot.ImadeitthroughrecruittrainingandthenayearagoItransferredtoOregonCascadeandbe-cametheleaderIamtoday.NowIamaLanceCorporalgettingclosetocom-pletingmyrequirementsfortherankofCorporalandthinkingabouthowacolorguardsparkedmyinterestintheYoungMarines.FoothillsPerformsColorGuardsforManyOccasionsByStacyAndersonPublicRelationsOfcerFoothillsCOAfter40yearsofser-vicetheCentralCityFireDept.decidedtothrowtheFireChiefasurpriseparty.TheycontactedFoot-hillsforaColorGuardforthisevent.TheeventwasheldattheCentralCityElksClublocatedinthehistoricdistrictofCentralCity.WhentheFireChiefen-teredandlearnedthatthesurprisedinnerwasinhishonorFoothillsColorGuardshowedhimawarmwelcomebyopeningwiththepresentationofthecolors.Tosayhewasthrilledwasanunderstatement.Hedeservedthisrecogni-tionandwewerehappytobeapartofit.ThenourunithadaopportunitytoperformColorGuardatthe2ndplayoffgamefortheColoradoAva-lancheonApril19.WhatagreatnightThePepsiCenterwassoldoutandtheColorGuardwasseenonthetelevisedbroadcastonAl-titudeSports.AndthenfewweekslaterweperformedColorGuardfortheMammothLacrossegameonwhatisreferredtoasStarWarsDayMay4asinMaytheFourthBeWithYou.FoothillsYoungMarinesshownherejoinedStarWarscharactersafterper-formingColorGuard.AboveHonoringFireChiefGaryAllens40yearsofserviceinCentralCity.Page22ESPRIT ElizabethtownAssistsCemeterybyFoldingFlagsByYMLCplSamanthaThomasElizabethtownPAOnSaturdayJanuary11ththeEliza-bethtownYoungMarineswenttoIndian-townGapNationalCemeterytohelpfoldags.Wewentthroughboxesandboxesofagsthathadtobefoldedandputinbins.Alsowefoldedcountedandputunserviceableagsincardboardboxes.Thiswasalotofworkbutweallworkedtogetherandcompletedthejobinalittleover3hours.Wewentthroughhundredsofagssomeagsweresmallandonwoodensticksothershadbeendrapedovercofnsandotherswerehuge.SixYoungMarineswerepresentsowehadalotofworktodo.WeassignedeachYoungMarineadifferenttaskandwerotatedperiodi-cally.Mrs.KeenerOurUnitCommanderalsohelpedusalongwithMr.ThomasandMr.Prough.Withouttheseadultswewouldhavebeenthereallday.Foldingmorethanahundredagswithonly6kidsisverydifcultbuttheyhelpedusandmadeitgoalotfasterandmoreen-joyable.Thisshowsthatteamworkisre-allyaveryimportantthingifyouhaveabigtasktocomplete.Pullingalltogethertofoldandboxalltheagswassuchagreatexperienceandwealllearnedalittlesomethingfromthisday.TRUECOLORSPresentingtheColorsfortheMarineCorpsLeagueByJudyLinkAdjutantPaymasterWesternNewYorkTheWesternNewYorkYoungMarinesColorGuardpresentedtheColorsattheMarineCorpsLeagueInstallationDinneratWheateldAmericanLegionPost1451onApril29butnotbeforetheagingEagleGlobeandAnchorcrashedtotheoor.NoworriesthoughTheYoungMarinesweretheretolendahelpinghandinsettingitbackinplace.YMPVTDanielleHurtadowowedtheMarineCorpsLeaguewhenshesangtheNationalAnthem.Afterwardsadeliciousdinnerwasservedandwedancedthenightaway.AlthoughtheMarineCorpsLeaguewasonlyabletoofciallyinvitethecolorguardandsingerYMCplToriGuihercouldntbearthethoughtofnotattendingthefestivitiessoshecon-vincedhergrandfatherformerMarineGySgtSteveKellertobringherashisdate.ATraditionofSingingtheNationalAnthemTooByJudyLinkAdjutantPaymasterWesternNewYorkLastMarchtheWesternNewYorkYoungMarinespresentedthecolorsintheopeningceremoniesfortheGlidingStarsendoftheseasonperformanceatthePepsiCenterinAmherstNY.Since2005ourColorGuardhaspresentedthecolorsintheseceremonies.In2009ourveryownYMSgtKellyMojebegansingingtheNationalAnthemforthiseventafterherretire-mentfromtheunitYMSgtKaraByrnetookoverthatprivilegeandnowthehonorhasbeenpasseddowntoYMPVTDanielleHurtadowhojustgraduatedfromrecruittraininginDecem-ber2013andhasperformedatthreedifferentevents.WehavebeenveryfortunateinhavingsuchmusicallytalentedYoungMarines.In2011TheWesternNewYorkYoungMarinestriowhichiscomposedofYMSgtMojeYMSgtByrneandYMSgtLinknowYMMSgtLinkauditionedfortheNationalDirectorandotherstaffmembersduringNationalLeadershipSchoolinFortPickettVA.TheywerethenaskedtosingtheNationalAnthematthegraduationceremonythatyearanexperienceallthreeofthemremembertothisday.FloridaSaysThankYouforBeingaYoungMarineByPVTAshtonWinchellPensacolaFLTheYoungMarinesofPensacolawereattendingarecruittrainingencampmentlastMarch.Alongwith3otherfellowYoungMarines--PVTGlassPVTParkerandPFCDay--IwascalledtobeinaColorGuardforaMardiGrasParade.ThefourofusbuckledupandwenttoMagnoliaSprings.FLfortheparade.Onarrivingweputallofourgearon.PVTParkerleftriemanPVTGlassUnitColorsIPVTWinchellwasNationalColorsandPFCDaywasrightrieman.WewalkedthroughtheCommandsandCadencesseveraltimes.Aftertherunthroughwegotinpositionandwaitedforfurthercom-mandsbyMr.CatoourExecutiveOfcer.AfterafewminutesofwaitingwemettheHeadSheriffofMagnoliaSpringswhohadinvitedusoutandhethankedusforcomingouttomarchtheNationalColorsfortheirparade.Theparadestartedandwewereontheparademarch.ThecrowdsweregreatandjoyfulandwesawmanyveteranswhosalutedtheFlagsandthankedusforbeingYoungMarines.Weallhadfunduringtheparade.Aftertheparadewecollectedpogiebaitandstuffedanimalsandonourreturntotheen-campmentwelaughedandtalkedabouthowmuchfunitwas.ESPRITPage23 ColoradoUnitsJoinforTrainingandGraduationByYMCPLFreddieGallegosPuebloCOYoungMarinesOntheweekendofFebruary14-16thePuebloandPikesPeakYoungMarinescametogethertorunanonstop3-dayrecruittrainingevent.VariousmembersofthePikesPeakunitandnumerousre-cruitscametoPueblotohelpus.WhatmadethisrecruittrainingsodifferentwasthatitwasconductedbytenRecruitInstructorsfourfromPikesPeakunitandsixfromPueblo.Thistypeofsituationwastherstforeveryoneattendingtheevent.Whetherteachingclassesconductingphysicalt-nesstrainingorjusthavingfuntheRe-cruitInstructorswerealwayshelpingtherecruits.Recruittrainingconsistedofnonstopwork.TherecruitsspentalotoftimeintheclassroomandoutdoorsdoingPT.Weaddedalittlefuntothemix.Wespentsometimedoingteam-buildingexercisesinordertomakethisalearningexperienceforeveryone.ItbroughtthePuebloandPikesPeakunitscloser.Wedideverythingtogetherwhichhelpedtoshowtherecruitsthevalueofteamwork.Afewweeksafterthisrecruittrainingwasgraduationday.ThegraduationwasheldatPuebloWeisbrodAircraftMuseumonMarch8th.Thiswasajointgradua-tionbetweenthePuebloandPikesPeakunits.TheColoradoSpringsunitalsowaspresentmakingthisagreat3rdColoradoHighPlainsBattalionevent.ThisgraduationwasspecialtoalotofpeoplenotonlybecausetheYoungMa-rineprogramwasintroducingnewmem-berstoourfamilybutbecauseYoungMa-rinesNationalExecutiveDirectorLt.Col.MichaelKesslerUSMCRet.attendedtheevent.Mr.KesslerisanoutstandingleaderandheisoneofthemainreasonswhytheYoungMarinesissuchanamaz-ingprogram.Tostartthegraduationacombinedcol-orguardbetweenthePuebloandPikesPeakunitsmarchedonthecolors.Mr.Kesslerthenspoketothecrowd.Follow-inghisremarksawardswerepresented.YMSgtJack-sonofPikesPeakYoungMa-rinesmarchedontherecruits.Therecruitsthenunbuttonedtheirtopblousebuttonandblousedtheirboots.TherecruitswereintroducedforthersttimeasYoungMarinesandthenewestmemberstoourgrowingfamilies.ThePuebloPikesPeakandtheColoradoSpringsYoungMarineswereallawardedtheMarineCorpsLeagueCommendationAward.TheseawardswerepresentedtotheUnitCommandersbytheComman-dantsofboththeHomeofHeroesMarineCorpsLeagueandthePikesPeakMarineCorpsLeagueDetachments.OurnewestYoungMarineswerethencalledforwardandpromotedtoPrivate.YMPFCAngelinaRobleswaspresentedtheHonorGraduatedistinctionforthePueblounitandYMPFCRichardChavezwaspresentedtheHonorGraduatedis-tinctionforthePikesPeakunit.YMPFCPiperWeingardtofthePueblounitwaspromotedmeritoriously.Mr.KesslerpresentedtheawardsandtheUnitCommandersassistedwiththepinningoftheirchevrons.YMCplJasonMartinezofthePuebloUnitwaspresent-edwiththePerfectPFTawardbyMr.Kes-slerandUnitCommanderMcDonough.SeveralPuebloYoungMarinesalsore-ceivedtheirPerfectAttendanceawards.Aftertheceremonyeveryonewasinvitedtohavebugjuicethatspunchtotherestofyouandcake.ItssafetosaythateveryYoungMarinetherewantedtomeetMr.Kessler.InfactagroupofYoungMarinestookaphotowithhim.Mr.KesslertookthetimetomeetwitheachYoungMarinestaffmemberandpar-entwhowantedtimewithhim.Therecruittrainingandgraduationmarkedanewbeginningformany.Theseeventschangedlivesandbecamealearningexperienceforeveryone.MostofallitwelcomednewmembersintoourawesomeandgrowingfamilyofYoungMarines.AboveJusttwoofmanyphotostakenongraduationday.AnAppreciationofOurAdultVolunteersEverywhereByYMGySgtAlliEscamillaOregonCascadeORFebruaryisVolunteerAppreciationMonth.Iwouldliketothankeveryvol-unteerinmyunitandotherunitsaroundthecountrywhohavemadetheexperi-enceinYoungMarinesoutstandingformeandforthousandsofYoungMarineslikeme.Ihavemadesomanymemoriesandformedwonderfulfriendshipsthatwilllastmylifetime.Theseopportunitiesex-istbecauseoftheselessgivingofourvolunteersstaffandparents.OurunitusesthemottoPreparingforSuccess.Thisissotrue.Ihavebeenintheprogramforsixyears.InthattimeIhavenotonlygrownasaYoungMarinebutalsoasanindividual.YoungMarineshastaughtmesomuchaboutmyselfandmyabilitieshasgiv-enmeamazingopportunitiesandhasstrengthenedmeforthefuture.Ateveryturnduringthesepastsixyearstherehasalwaysbeenavolunteeren-couragingmehelpingmesupportingme.Ihaveworkedhard.butnoharderthanthosevolunteerswhogiveofthem-selvestomakeitallpossible.Forevery-thingweasYoungMarinesseeanadultvolunteerdoingtheyaredoingmorebehindthescenes.Theyaretheultimateexamplesofleadership.Iamblessedbeyondmeasuretohavebeenapartofsuchagreatprogramandexperiencerst-handthedifferenceotherscanmakeinourlives.OneofthegreatestlessonsIhavelearnedthrough-outmytimeasaYoungMarineisthevalueofgivingforthebenetofothersPage24ESPRIT GraduationsPerfectPFTScoresYMPVTGeorgiaJensenNorthSanDiegoCAYMSGTLukeSmithNorthSanDiegoCAYMPFCAudreyRowlandNorthernKentuckyYMPvtColtonConroyNorthernKentuckyYMSgtMajAlexLoriaColWesleyFoxVANoteAlexsFourthPerfectPFTScoreYMGySgtMichaelDulinGreaterClevelandOHYMLCplSamuelGwatkinGreaterClevelandOHYMPFCJackOlsonCentennialCOYMPVTJaydonManteufelCentennialCORecruitInstructorsdemonstrateproperpush-ups.CongratulationstoallournewYoungMarinesandtoallthosewhotaughtandnurturedthem.GoodWorkUnitNorthSuburbanILDateJanuary14UCSgtKeronPhillipHonorgradTygeKrestingUnitMiltonLewisFLDateFebruary22UCCaryHillHonorgradAbigailB.IslamUnitGreaterClevelandOHDateFebruary23UCChrisFreidhofHonorgradPhillipSkipperUnitDavidsonCountyNCDateMarch6UCJerryFoyHonorgradsCamrynMaxonJosephCollinsIIIUnitLewisandClarkWADateMarch29UCBrianHildebrandHonorgradJoshuaLiguidUnitMountainViewCODateMarch30UCTrentWatersHonorgradJazmineSmithUnitNorthernKentuckyDateNotspeciedUCLynneArnoldHonorgradMorganDrakemeritoriouspromotiontoPFCUnitNorthKnoxvilleTNDateApril12UCJamesScottHonorgradGraceM.PolchiesUnitLt.AlexanderBonnymanVADateApril12UCVirgilYoungHonorgradElijahDeanUnitGuadalupeValleyTXDateMarch22UCDinaDillonHonorgradJoelVillarrealUnitSouthernMarylandDateMay4UCRobertWillisHonorgradsLilyBurchDominicMascaroUnitShiawasseeCountyMIDateMay3UCRobertBorkaHonorgradSamanthaBextonUnitTPSOLADateMay23UCNickVinterellaHonorgradNotspeciedFromaGroupofRecruitstoSquaredAwayYoungMarinesByYMSSgtDakotaTurnerHeartofTexasYoungMarinesThispastFebruarymyunittheHeartofTexasYoungMarinesstartedtheir9thyearofrecruittraining.WhenIwasaskedifIwasinterestedinbecomingarecruitinstructorIwasexcitedtoacceptthisnewchallengeandaddedobligation.Iknewthisopportunitycouldtestmyabilities.AfterattendingjuniorleadershipschoolIwasveryeagertopassalongandutilizemynewfoundskills.Iwasalsofortunateenoughtobeputatthepositionofplatooncommander.OntherstdayIwasassignedmyplatoonofrecruitsandmyassistantrecruitinstructors.Ihadveryhighexpectationsofwhatwouldbecomeoftherecruitsattheendofthistraining.Wearecurrentlyintheeighthweekoftrainingreviewingfortheirnalphasetesting.Therecruitshaveshapedintoveryrespectableandpresentableyoungadults.AsaYoungMarinesStaffSergeantandasaplatooncom-mandernothingexcitesmemorethanseeingarecruitoragroupofrecruitsbecomedisciplinedandsquaredawayYoungMarines.RecentlyGraduatingSeniorsDisclosePlansJacobPiotrowskioftheAshtabulaCountyOHunitmusteredoutlastMayandwillberejoiningasastaffmember.SoutheastCountyYoungMarinesreportsthatYMGySgtFer-nandoRiverawhowasinYoungMarinesforeightyearsandYMCplMaxD.MagdalenoaYoungMarineforthepasttwoyearshavegraduatedandplantoenlistintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps.ESPRITPage25 ByYMSgtMicennaBrooksEtowahValleyGAWhenIwassevenIstartedmyowncompanyforveteransandcalleditMicennasMission.Thefocusofmycompanyistoletveteransknowthattheyarelovedappreciatedandnotforgotten.Iamnowtwelveandinthepastfewyearshavecol-lectedanddistributedmorethan100000cardsforourveter-ans.Icontinuetodothis.AboutfourmonthsagoIhaddoublepneumoniaandwashospitalizedatScottishRiteHospitalinAtlantaGeorgiaoneofthreeChildrensHospitalsofAtlanta.MyparentsobtainedbooksandmoviesformefromthehospitallibrarysoIwouldnotworryorgetbored.IwasthereforoneweekinthatweekIwentthroughtheentiresectionofthelibraryformyage.IalsovisitedthelibrarywhenIcould.WhenIwasinthelibraryIsawaveteranwearinghisveteranscoverreadingtoayoungchild.Ithankedhimforhisserviceandspokewithhim.AfterheleftIsawatoddlerlookingforbooks.IaskedherifIcouldhelpher.OutofthecornerofmyeyeIsawamanwearingauniformstandup.Heexplainedthathewasac-tivedutyandvisitinghisdaughterwhohadcancer.Iwentbacktomyroomlaterthateveningandstartedthinkingaboutthosekidsandtheirfamilieswhowerevisitingtheminthehospital.IrecallanotherpatientnamedHannahwhosefatherwasretiredAirForceandaHighSchoolJROTCinstructor.Hannahwasabout6yearsoldandwasmakingValentinesfortheotherchildren.Istartedaconversationafterthankingherdadforhisservice.IsawherlatersheandIplayedbattleshipwithanotherchild.IencounteredmanyveteransandtheirfamilieswhileIwasapatientinthehospital.IdecidedIneededtocollectbooksforthekids.IfIdidthistheymaynotbesoboredandcouldndadifferentwaytoenjoythemselves.Itcouldhelpthemforgetaboutthethingstheyhavetogothrough.LaterIspokewithalibrarianandaskedherifIcouldbeginabookdriveforthelibrary.ShesaidyesbecausethelibraryisrunpurelyfromdonationsIcouldseeinhereyesthatshedidnotthinkIcouldhandleit.ApparentlyshedoesnotknowjustwhatthisYoungMarinecandoShegavemesomegroundrulesRulenumberonetheDVDsneedtoberatedGtoPG13.Rulenum-bertwothebooksneedtobeforageseleventoadult.FromthereIdecidedthatIwouldtrytocol-lectabout5000DVDsand10000books.RulenumberthreeallbooksandDVDsmustbebrandnewthisistokeepdownthepos-sibilityofinfection.AtthistimeallbooksandDVDsarebeingcollectedforthethreeChildrensHospitalshereinAtlanta.HoweverthepossibilitiesforexpansionofthispartofMicen-nasMissionisapossibility.Iamcontinuingtocollectcardsforourveterans.Ifyouwouldliketomakeandsendsometomeitwouldbegladlyappreciated.Any-thingyoumaywishtosendmetohelpwiththesemissionscanbesenttoMicennasMissionKidsCause4566RobertsDriveSEAcworthGeorgia30102Eventhoughveteransareretiredtheystillservetheircreedsandobligations.TheyinstillintotheirfamiliestheimportanceofGodfamilyandcountry.Ioftenthinkabouthowthosekidsaroundmyagewhohavecancerandothersevereillnessesorinjuriesareconstantlyatthehospitalmightbesoboredallthetime.IalwaysknewIhadaservantsheartforourveteransbutIhadnoideathatthiswaspartofGodsplanforme.ItreallytouchedmyheartandIprayedaboutitandGodtoldmewhatImustaccomplish.Pleasehelptheseveteransandtheirfamiliesafteralltheyhavesacricedsomuchtodefendthisgreatcountryofours.MicennasMissionExpandstoBeneftLibrariesforHospitalizedKidsAstayinthehospitalinspiresEtowahValleysYMSgtMicennaBrookstoexpandherworkonbehalfofhospitallibraries...xmnxmnPage26ESPRITAProjecttoCreateMagicforFosterChildrenByKennethD.OttleyUnitCommanderPFCBruceW.CarterYoungMarinesofMiami-DadeFLOnAugust132012YMMGySgtSaleemForbesandhisbroth-erYMSergeantSolomonForbesbothavidskateboardersbe-ganresearchingabetterqualitygriptapefortheirlongboards.Longboardsareskateboardsintermsofpartsandgeneralcon-struction.Howeverthepartsgenerallyhavedifferentdimen-sionsandthewheelsareoftenalotsofter.Somehoweverhaverelativelyhardwheelsforslidingwhichmakeslongboardsfeelquitedifferentthanthemorecommonskateboard.Theresultofthisresearchinspiredthemonaquesttoputalongboardinthehandsofallteenageyouthinfostercare.Whatbeganasasmallprojecthasexplodedintoafocuseddrivetohelpthelessfortunatechildreninourcountryandonedaytheworld.YMMGySgtSaleemForbescontactedseveralcompaniesaroundthecountrytoinquireaboutgettingsuppliesdonatedfortheproject.Hewasabletoobtainmaterialsuppliesandfundingofmorethan3000fromnationalcompanieslikeLandyahtzRainskateSilvaNon-skidsolutionsOriginalSkateBoardsaswellasHomeDepotWal-MartandLowes.In2014YMMGySgtForbesandhisbrotherYMSgtSolomonForbessucceededinmakingtheirLongBoarddevelopmentprojectanationwideFosterAdoptiveParentAssociationeventTherelationshipstheydevelopedareongoingandthedona-tionsarecontinuingtohelpthemaccomplishtheirgoals.TheyintendtoputalongboardinthehandsofeveryFosterAdop-tiveParentAssociationteenacrossthecountry. ALessonAboutLibertyandLifefromaPolishEngineerByYMSSGTDylanJonesFallRiverMAYoungMarinesWhatislibertyLibertyisthepowerofchoosingthinkingandactingforone-self.Libertyaswellasfreedomisacon-ceptthatoppressedpeopleeverywheredreamabout.ItsanessentialAmericanvalueandhugereasonwhysomanyim-migrantscomehereforanewlife.ThefunnythingisthatmostmodernAmeri-cansdontappreciatetheblessingsoflibertyandfreedomassomeimmigrantsdo.ForexampleayoungPolishengineernamedThaddeusKosciuszkocametoAmericatohelptheAmericanswiththeirghtforindependence.Thaddeusfortiedmanyfortsandbat-tlesitesmostofwhichbecameturningpointsforthewarlikePhiladelphiaswaterfront.AtFortMercerSaratogahemadeforticationsalongtheHudsonRiverandevenWestPointwhichwasimpenetrablebytheBritish.Forhisout-standinghelpintheRevo-lutionaryWarThaddeuswasappointedBrigadierGeneralandwasawardedtheCincinnatiOrderMedalbyGeneralGeorgeWash-ingtonwhopresentedKos-ciuszkowithtwopistolsandaswordasgiftsforhisoutstandingservicetoAmerica.ThaddeusreadtheDecla-rationofIndependenceandfoundthatitcontainedeverythinghebelievedinforacountry.Thaddeusunderstoodtheblessingsoflibertyandfreedominfactbecausehewasalsoarmbelieverofequalityaswell.WhenheleftAmericatowinindependenceforPolandfromRussiahedonatedallofhismoneyandthemoneythathisestatemadetofreeslavesandgivethemaproperedu-cation.ThomasJeffersonwhowasagoodfriendofThaddeusstatedthatThaddeuswasAspureasonoflibertyasIhaveeverknown.TodayThaddeusisburiedinWawelCastleinKrakowPolandamongthetombsofthePolishKings.Thereisalsoamonumentdedi-catedtoThaddeusatWestPointinhonorforhisservicetoAmerica.LibertyandfreedomareimportantandeveryAmericanshouldrealizehowluckytheyaretoliveinacountrysynonymouswithsuchvalues.ThaddeusKosciuszko.DrugsintheNewsMarijuanaisStillNotSafeByJoeBlesNationalInspectorGeneralYoungMarinesNationalHeadquartersMarijuanaissafe.ThatisthecurrentnationwidesellingpointforlegalizingMarijuana.Dontbelieveit.AdangerousMarijuanatrendcalleddabbingisontherise.DabbingistakingtheMari-juanaplantwithalowamountofTHCTetrahyrdocannabinolrenderingittobetween75and100THCthenusingit.THCisthechemicalcompoundthatproducesthefeelingofeuphoriainstreettermsitscalledahigh.Ingestingthesubstanceinsuchamassiveamountcanleadtodeath.NexttimeyouhearsomeonesayMarijuanaissafetellthemtochecktheirfacts.Whoknowsyoumayconvincesomeonetostopandsavetheirlife.ByYMLCplFranchesca-JuliaReyesandYMLCplJoshJohnstonBuckleyFieldCOThispastColoradolegislativesessionof2014wewereabletotakepartinlearningabouthowahousebillispre-sentedonthestateleveltobecomeastatelaw.TheHousebillwasHouseBillNumber14-1131.Wefeelverypassion-ateaboutthisbillbecauseitsprotectingunderagevictimsofcyberbullying.Cyberbullyingisamuchdeeperandmoredamagingformofbullylingthantraditionalbullying.Inatraditionalbully-ingsituationastudentmightndthem-selvesbeingtargetedbyasmallgroupofstudents.Theauthoritiesataschoolarenotiedandthesituationcanusuallyberesolved.WithCyberbullyingasmallgroupofstudentscandomoreharm-fulthingsthatcanbespreadtoamuchlargeraudience.Itcanbeanonymouswithbecausethebullyingisnttakingplaceonschoolgroundsorfacetoface.Whenthevic-timgoestoschooltheyndthattheycanhavemanymoreenemiesandhavetodealwithalargeamountofpublichu-miliation.Theirpictureandidenticationcanbestolenofftheinternetandplacedoninappropriatewebsitesvictimscanbewrongfullyaccusedandinvestigatedbyauthorities.Theconsequencesoffalseaccusationsandpublichumiliationcanbedeadly.Someyoungpeoplehavetakentheirownlivesbecauseofcyberbullying..ThecyberbullyingbillwasintroducedbyStateRepresentativeRhondaFieldsandpassedthroughtheHouseOfRepre-sentatives.ItwasthensenttotheStateSenatewhereitwasintroducedandsenttocommitteebyitssponsorsColoradoStateSenatorsLindaNewellandJohnKafalas.Atthiscommitteethebillwaspost-ponedindenitely.Ourexperiencewasnerve-racking.Wewerescaredbecauseyousitbeforestaterepresentativestospeakyourpointofview.Wegotemo-tionallisteningtosomeofthestoriesthatweheard.Wealsolearnedalotaboutthingsthatcanhappenlikehowwecantalwaysgethelpbecausethereisnolegislationaddressingaproblemsuchascyberbul-lying.Webecameangryaswewatchedthesenatorspostponethebillorholdituntilnextyear.Formeitjustmeansthattherewillbeanotheryearofpainhurtandlossesfortheyoungvictimsofcyber-bulllyinginoursociety.Wereallyenjoyedthisexperience.itwasnotonlyeducationalbutiswasalsodissappointing.Atothertimesitwasaveryheartwarmingexperience.Ithasnotstoppedthosebullyingkidsandtragicallyteensarecommittingsuicide.Ifeellikeitshouldhavepassedandtheyshouldnothavepostponedit.Wewereveryangrybecausewehavebeentryingforaverylongtimetoseelegislationen-actedandnowwehavetostartallover.Allofthehardworkfornothingandan-otheryearofthisgoingon.FightingBackWhenBullyingGoesHigh-TechESPRITPage27 AYoungMarineInterviewsaUnitedStatesSenatorByYMGySgtPaigeLaFlammeThreeRiversCTLastMarchIhadanamazingop-portunitytointerviewChristopherMurphyConnecticutsJuniorUnitedStatesSenatorataTownHallbreak-fastheheldattheNorwichCTVFWPost594.DuringtheinterviewIaskedaseriesofquestionsfromwhathewantedtobewhenhegrewuptohismostinterestingoverseastrip.SenatorMurphygrewupinWethers-eldCTandwantedtohelppeople.GrowinguphesaidheneverwouldhaveimaginedhewouldhavetheopportunitytobecomeaUntiedStatesSenator.HeattendedWilliamsCollegeinMassachusettsUniversityofConnecticutLawSchoolinHart-fordandpracticedrealestateandbankinglawfrom2002to2006withalawrminHartford.Hewasjust24yearsoldwhenherstranforofce.Thepeoplewhoinspiredhimwerehisparents.Hisfatherhelpedbuildabusi-nessinHartfordCTwhichcreatedjobs.HismothergrewupinNewBritainCT.Shefoughthardtogotocollege.SenatorMurphyisproudofwhathisparentsaccomplishedandwantstoliveuptotheirexample.SenatorMurphyispassionateaboutworkingforpeopleandimprovinglives.Iftherightpeopleranandhadafewgoodideasandhadintegrityyoucanmakeadifferenceinthegov-ernmenthesaid.OneofthechallengesSenatorMurphyfacesishavingtosplithistimebetweenhisfamilyandhisjobasSenator.Anotherdif-cultaspectofhisjobisdealingwiththeghtingandbickeringwhichgoesoninWashington.ThemostinterestingtripSena-torMurphytookoverseaswasvisitingwithtroopsstationedinIraqandAfghanistan.ThetroopvisitwasledbyayoungofcerfromhishomestateofConnecticut.SenatorMurphythoughtitwasamaz-ingtoseesomeonefromhomeanditremindedhimofthehugesacricesthatourtroopsmakeforuseveryday.PaigeLaFlammeinterviewsU.S.SenatorChristopherMurphy.ElizabethtownUnitsGirlsWinaFriendlyCompetitionByYMRecruitKyraShafferElizabethtownPATheElizabethtownYoungMarineswenttotheParkCityMallinLancasterPAforanAutomatedExternalDe-brilatororAEDhunt.WehadacompetitiongirlsversusboystoseewhocouldndtheAEDsrst.TherewereveAEDstotal.Weeachmetinthecenterofthemallandthesearchbegan.OneoftheAEDswaslocatedinthefoodcourtonthebottomlevel.Theotherswerelocatedinthewingsofthemall.TheAEDswereveryeasytondonceweguredoutthepattern.Therewere8wingsinthemallandtherewere4AEDsineveryotherwing.Thegirlsgotofftoagreatstartndingtheirrstonewithinminutes.Wehurriedofftoanewwingeverytimetondanotherone.Afterwefoundtherstfourwehurrieddowntothebottomlevel.Thegirlshadfoundthe5thAEDSinceeverybodywastoldtomeetinthecenteraftertheywereallfoundthegirlshurriedtothecenter.Aftertheymetinthecentertheycouldntndtheboystoin-formthemthatthegirlshadwon.Wesearchedaroundthemallfortheboyseventuallyndingthem.WeallheadedbacktotheLegiontoresumedrill.ItwasagreatvictoryforthegirlsNicetryguys.ThatsanAEDhangingonthewallbytheway.AUsefulTeam-BuildingExercisethatAlsoServestoRaiseAwarenessoftheLocationofPotentiallyLife-SavingEquipmentinaPublicPlaceIftherightpeopleranandhadafewgoodideasandhadintegrityyoucanmakeadiiferenceingovernment.--SenatorChristopherMurphyPage28ESPRIT OnHisWayTowardaCareerinMarineCorpsAviationByVirgilYoungUnitCommanderLt.AlexanderBonnymanTNDerekReimannwasamemberoftheLt.AlexanderBonnymanUnitinKnox-villeTNfrom2003to2009.Hewasthe2008DivisionThreeYoungMarineoftheYear.HeattendedAuburnUniversityonaNavyReserveOfcerTrainingCorpsscholarshipandgraduatedinDecember2013withaBachelorofSciencedegreeinBusinessAdministration.DerekcompletedtheUSMCOfcerCan-didateSchoolbetweenhisjuniorandse-nioryearsatAuburn.InhissenioryearhewasthecommandingofceroftheAuburnNROTCbattalion.HereceivedhiscommissionasaMarine2ndLieutenantinDecemberof2013.DereksayshehadneverconsideredapossiblecareerinthemilitaryuntilhebecameinvolvedwiththeYoungMarines.HedecidedhewantedtobeaMarinepilotafterattendingtheLt.BonnymanUnitsIntroductiontoNavyMarineAvia-tioneventatalocalairportandtalkingtoaformerNavyinstructorpilot.Tohelpattainthatgoalheearnedapilotsli-censebeforehegraduatedfromcollege.DerekwillbeginhisMarineCorpsca-reerbyattendingTheBasicSchoolTBSQuanticoVAforbasicMarineofcertrainingstartinginApril.Aftergraduat-ingfromTheBasicSchoolinNovember2014hewillgotoPensacolaFLfortrainingtobecomeaMarineCorpspilot.WHEREARETHEYNOW2ndLieutenantDerekW.ReimannUSMC.BeaPartoftheYoungMarinesAlumniAssociationCallingFORMERYMsWhereAreYOUNowwww.youngmarines.comAlumniByJoeBlesNationalInspectorGeneralYoungMarinesNationalHeadquartersTheactingUnitedStatesSurgeonGen-eralRearAdmiralBorisD.Lushniakre-centlyreleasedsomeverywelcomecan-cernews.Foralotofreasonsthemajorconcernsarekillers.Lungcancerbreastcancerandleukemiaaredown.ThenotsogoodnewsisSkinCancerisontherise.Skincancersmaincausecomesfromdamagingyourskinfromtoomuchsunorarticialtanning.Thisisnotjustasum-mertimeactivity.Withtanningsalonsitcanoccuranytimeoftheyear.TakeDoc-torLishniaksadviceheisadermatolo-gistWearsunprotectionwhenoutdoorsandavoidthetanningbed.InspectorGeneralsSafetyTipYearRoundCancerCarePensacolaYoungMarinesHonorLCplTravisM.NelsonLastAugusttheYoungMarinesofPensacolagatheredattheLCplTravisM.NelsonParkonFloridaHighway4tohonoroneoftheirownaformerYoungMarinewhopaidmadetheultimatesacrice.TravisNelsonofBrattFLjoinedtheYoungMarinesatage14.SomeveyearslaterhewasservingwiththeUnitedStatesMarineCorpsinHelmandProvinceinAfghanistan.ItwastherewhereNelsonlosthislifeinAugustof2011.YoungMarinesstoodsilentlyatattentionasawreathwasplacedattheparksmemorialtoNelsoninsolemntributetoaherowhodieddefendingthefreedomoffamilyfriendsandtheAmericahelovedsomuch.-CompiledfronminformationprovidedbyNorthEscambia.comWalnutHillFL.ESPRITPage29LCplTravisM.Nelson ZachVeachALookBackatThisSeasonHeythereYoungMarinesItsapleasuretobewritingyouallagainAlthoughitshardformetobelievewerealreadyinSeptember.My2014summerfeltlikeitwentbyat200MPH.IguessinawayitactuallydidButformeitwasasummerIwillalwaysbethankfulforandremember.Theyear2014wasourbreakoutyearIwasabletotakeeverythingfrommypastexperiencesincludingmymistakesandlearnfromitalltobecomeanallaroundbetterdriver.WesetthetoneearlyintheseasonbygoingoutanddominatingtheopeningraceinSt.PetersburgFloridabutIknewrightawayitwasgoingtobeayearoftoughcompetitionracingagainstsomeofthebest20-23yearolddriversintheworld.Theonlywaytobeatthemwasgo-ingtobetotrytooutworkthem.SofromdayoneIputmyheaddownandlivedbyMuhammadAlisquoteSuffernowandlivetherestofyourlifeasachampion.Iwokeupeverydaywiththesamegoalinmyeyestobechampion.Wehadatotalof14races14opportu-nitiesformetoaccomplishmygoal.Bythetimethecheckeredagewforrace14outInCaliforniawehadrackedup3wins4poles9top3nishesand3rdoverallinthechampionshiphuntImissedouton1stbyjust20pointstheclosestchampionshipbattleinall4seriesthisyear.IwasheartbrokenbutattheendofthedayIrealizedbeingchampionisntaboutgettingashinycuportrophyitsaboutbeingsomeonewhoexpressesallofthetraitsofatruecham-pion.Inthepubliceyeandmostimpor-tantlywhennooneislooking.Itsaboutkeepingyouheaduphighpushingonwardandnevergivingupnomatterhowdifcultthechallengeaheadis.Wedidntwinthechampionshipun-fortunatelybutwedidhaveachampionyear.SomethingImhopingtorepeatnextyearaswetrytocompeteintheVe-rizonIndyCarseriesOntopofitallIwasincrediblyluckytomeetsomanyinspiringYoungMarinesthroughoutthecountrythisyearalongmyjourneyandIwanttopersonallysaythankyoutoeachandeveryoneofyouforyourneverendingsupportGoodluckaswegobacktoschoolandwher-everyourdreamsmayleadyouuntilnexttimeZachVeachHonoraryYoungMarineLeftZachmeetswithYoungMarinesatarace.BelowOneofmanyinterviewsconductedattrackside.BelowLeftZachatthewheel.BelowRightWhereallofthehardworkandpreparationpaysoffAcheckeredagandatriptotheWinnersCircle.ESPRIT