Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46By YM/PFC Samuel Wingo Gen Raymond G. Davis Metro Atlanta (GA) On my second trip to Parris Island, SC, I was expect- ing many of the same things that I experienced last year. But I had forgotten how much fun I had on Parris Island last year. On the first day, you don’t get Physical Training (or PT) as much, but you do get to go and explore the Island with your drill instructor (or DI). On my second day, we got to go see the original rifle range, which is the best part. On the third day, we got to run the obstacle course for the first time. We also learned cool new drills.On our fourth day,we returned to the obstacle course one more time, then we went to the confidence course. Let me just say it was really fun, but for the most part I think it was more fun for the DI. We just tried our best not to give up! After that we had a chance to shoot modified air rifles. On day five (the last day) we attended to recruits’ graduation ceremony, and saw recruits graduate as United States Marines. Parris Island, SC: Where Recruits Become Marines By YM/Cpl Abbigail Waters Mountain View (CO) The patriotic rock group Madison Ris- ing came to perform at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Aurora, CO. Mountain View Young Marines had the honor of presenting the colors at this event. The venue is amazing, with military aircraft from various eras on display. The event was super fun, exciting, and a little terrifying all at the same time (being new to color guard, I didn’t want to mess up). I presented our unit colors,and could feel my hands shaking from nerves. Our team did a great job, and we had worked really hard to make sure we did! After presenting the colors, we went back- stage and got to meet the members of the band. They were very thankful for us being there.You could feel the patriotism in the air. Young and old, we are all proud to be Ameri- cans.We also got to meet Navy Seal Lt. Jason Redman (USN, Ret.), and hear his incredi- ble story of perseverance and sacrifice. He generously gave our color guard 2 signed copies of his book, The Trident: The Forg- ing and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Officer. It was something that I won’t ever forget. Then the musical fun began. We were able to listen to the music of Madison Rising. It was great, patriotic music mixed with rock. This is just one of the great opportuni- ties that the Young Marines has provided to me. More than anything, I’ve learned that hard work pays off. You put in the work, and good things happen. For more information about the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, see their website: www.wingsmuseum. org. Color Guard, and Madison Rising at Air Museum Event Left: Performing Color Guard honors. By YM/Pvt Lucas Smith and Rachael Smith, Unit Webmaster Parris Island (SC) Have you ever wondered what it is like to go through the U.S. Marine Corps Basic Recruit Training and the Cru- cible at Parris Island? The Parris Island Young Marines had a chance to experience what a day in the life of a recruit is like aboard Parris Island. Marine Corps Community Service Family Team Building hosted the Parris Island Kids’ Crucible one Saturday morning in April. Approximately 40 Parris Is- land Young Marines attended this event. Early Saturday morning the Parris Island Young Marines reported to the All Weather Training Facility for “pick up” day. As Parris Island Young Marines stood in formation, a line of experienced drill instructors wearing the traditional “Smokey” field hat marched in precise formation toward the platoons of kid recruits. All of a sudden the sounds of the drill instructors’ voic- es filled the building with commands. The platoons were rushed aboard buses to their first destination, the “Yellow Footprints.” The day was filled with many activities includ- ing the confidence course, PFT, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, ISMIT (indoor rifle range), field obstacles, and the 50-foot rappel tower at Page Field. These events pushed many of the Parris Island Young Marines both physically and mentally, giving them a new respect for the training that they often see taking place aboard Parris Island.They didn’t let the heat stop them from participating in all activities and graduate from the PI Kids’ Crucible. It was the best ex- perience we have had. We learned that it takes a lot of hard work to become a Marine. Some of us have family members in the Marine Corps, and we want to be Marines, too. Parris Island: Appreciation and Respect for Hard Work 24 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE