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YoungMarinesSNAPSHOTSDivisionYoungMarinesotheYearcelebratingaRockymomentinPhiladelphia.FoothillsFourbuddiesinthewoods.ThreeRiversWithaCongressmanandafag.NorthernKentuckyAttendingarainymarathon.ShenandoahValleyWithaD-Dayveteran. ESPRITFall20131NationalHeadquartersStaffNationalExecutiveDirectorChiefExecutiveOfcerMichaelKesslerDeputyDirectorJosephVenableInspectorGeneraloftheYoungMarinesJosephBlesDirectorforTrainingandEducationDavidAdamsMobileTrainingTeamCoordinatorMichaelGuilesTrainingTeamAlvinHendricksDirectorofPublicRelationsJanelleJohnsenDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerJosephLusignanAdministrativeAssistantforDatabaseManagementJudyJonesWebmasterServiceXpertMediaManagementLLCSanAntonioTexasYoungMarinesNationalHeadquartersP.O.Box70735SWStationWashingtonD.C.20024-0735YoungMarinesEspritMarcDeFrancisEditorJaimeJassoLayoutandDesignYoungMarinesBoardofDirectorsWilliamSmithChairmanGaryWeisbaumLorenFunkWilliamBarnesRobertBorkaDinaDillonLouisJohnsonWilliamJ.WalkerGeneOverstreetInvitedMemberMichaelTracyDirectorofFinanceMichaelKesslerNationalExecutiveDirectorJosephVenableDeputyDirectorDivisionCommandersDavidCumminsDivisionOneGeorgeBiedenbenderDivisionTwoJohnGionetDivisionThreeDouglasChampagneDivisionFourRonPownallDivisionFiveMichaelWilsonDivisionSixDivisionYoungMarinesoftheYearYMSgtMajPierceGillmanDivisionOneYMSgtMajDakotaRichterDivisionTwoYMSgtMajAustinCobbDivisionThreeYMSgtMajShanaPerezDivisionFourYMSgtMajCorinMcKeeDivisionFiveYMSgtMajIanSearchDivisionSixYMSgtMajDakotaRichterNationalYoungMarineoftheYearComingAttractions...Forthewinterissue--oursubmissiondateisDecember1--ourthemewillbeTheYoungMarinesdoinggreatworkinourcommunitiesnationwide.Telluswhatyourunithasdonethatwasallabouthelpingothersinourlargercommunity.Pickoneortwohighlightsthatwerefocusedoncommunityserviceinsomewayandtelluswhatitfeltliketobepartofit.WhatdidyouenjoyaboutitthemostWhatdidyourcom-munityappreciatethemostDontforgettosendusoneortwophotos.AndifamemberofyourcommunitywantstoshareathoughtaboutthegoodworkyourunitisdoingaskthemtosendalettertotheeditorofEspritatmagazineyoungmarines.com.NoteHereatEspritwerealwayslookingforwaystomakethemagazinebetter.BeginningwiththeSpringissueofthemagazineweareintroducingachangewewillnolongerbeannouncingaspecialthemeforeveryissue.Insteadwewillprintremindersandsug-gestionsofthefeaturedtopicsthatwewanttobesureeveryonecanreadaboutbothre-gardingspecialactivitiesandthegoodworkyourYoungMarinesdowithyourunits.ForexamplewewanttobesurethatRedRibbonWeekandVeteransAppreciationWeekgetthesameattentioninthemagazinethatweknowyougivetheminyourunitsactualactivities.AnotherexampleinthecurrentissueisthewaywehavedevotedasectiontowhatyourYoungMarinesdidandlearnedduringtheirS.P.A.C.E.S.adventures.Asalwaysallstoriesaboutwhatyourunithasbeendoingarewelcomealongwithsto-riesrevealingthepersonalinsightsyourYoungMarineshavegainedthroughtheirparticipa-tioninourprogram.Thesamebasiclimitsandcautionsremaininplaceaswell.Keepstoriesshortagoodcut-offis250wordsandrememberthatwecannotprintmorethanonestoryaboutthesameactivityfromthesameunit.SoifseveralofyourYoungMarineswanttowriteaboutthesameawe-someexperienceaskthemtocollaborateonasinglearticle.AndfnallyPicturesPleasesubmitonetothreephotoswitheacharticleideallycandidshotsratherthangrouppor-traits.KeepthosegreatstoriescomingNotePleasereviewtheEspritsubmissionmanualintheYoungMarineslibraryundertheMemberssectionformoredetailedtipsandguidelinesforsubmittingyourarticlesandphotostoEsprit.Ifyouhaveanyquestionssendanemailtomagazineyoungmarines.com FromtheNationalDirectorsDeskForthoseofyouwhoattendedtheannualGreatAmericanHistoryAdventureyouprobablyhaveamuchbetterappreciationofournationshis-torynowthatyoucanseewhereitallbegan.Speakingwithmenandwom-enwhodressandspeakinthestyleofthe1700storeenactournationsearlyhistorygivesyouatrueappreciationofwhatitmighthavebeenliketolivebackthen.AndyourvisitstoJames-townandWilliamsburgprovidedsnapshotsoflifegoingallthewaybacktotheearliestsettlersofthe1600s.ThatadventurewasjustoneofthemanyS.P.A.C.E.S.programswherehistorytookafrontseat.SomeofyouwentoutwestthissummertoparticipateintheCattleDriveortheWildWestAdventureandifyouwereoneofthoseluckyYoungMarinesyougotachancetoseewhatlifemighthavebeenlikeincludingwhatitfeltlikealldayonahorse--duringthepioneerdaysofthe1800s.Theseactivitiesaredesignedtoprovideyouwithaneducationthatyousimplycannotgetinschool.Unfortu-natelyasimportantashistoryisitisoftenpushedbackorquicklyglossedovertomakeroomforotherstudies.Tomethatsasadcommentary.Historyisimportantinknowingwherewecamefromandhowwegottowhereweare.OurprogramsannualvisittoWindowRockAZonAugust14providesanotherreal-lifelookathistory.ThosewhoparticipatedthisyearwereabletotalkfacetofacewithmenwhomadehistoryasNavajoCodeTalkersinWorldWarII.ManyofyouenjoyedsimilarenrichingexperiencesduringourannualVeteransAppreciationWeekbyhearingfromveteranswhohelpedmakehistoryduringthegreatcon-ictsinthePacicandEuropeinWorldWarIIorinKoreaintheearly1950s.PersonallyIthinklearninghistoryisfunButyoudonthavetogoonaS.P.A.C.E.S.triptoexploreourhis-tory.IremembervisitingourYoungMarineunitinManseldOH.IntheearlymorningIgotuptogoforarunandasIranthroughaparkInoticedastatueofJohnnyAppleseed.ItwasatthatmomentintimethatIlearnedthatManseldOHwasamongthemanyplaceswhereJohnnyAppleseedlived.Perhapsthisisntacrowningmomentinourhistory--buteverybodyhasheardofJohnnyAppleseedNowIknowmoreabouthim.Solookaround.Youmightbepleasantlysurprisedtondoutthatthereissomethingofhistoricalrelevanceinyourcommunity.SemperMikeKesslerOurNationsHistoryHiddeninPlainSight2ESPRITFall2013FollowusonFacebookwww.facebook.comusyoungmarinesandournationalhomepagewww.youngmarines.comYoungMarinesfromacrossthecountryattheNationalLeadershipSymposiuminOctober.ReadmoreaboutwhattheyaccomplishedinthenextissueofEspritandstaytunedtotheYoungMarinesNewsNetworktolearnmore. ByYMSgtMajDakotaRichterNationalYoungMarineoftheYear2013-14NorthernKentuckyKYAsYoungMarinesoneofourmosthonorablepointsofprideistheworkthatweperformwithandforourAmericanveteransofallconictsandfromallbranches.OnthenationallevelsummertripssuchastheGreatAmericanHistoryAdventurealongtheEastCoastandtheMilitaryOrderoftheWorldWarsinournationscapi-tolandannualceremoniessuchasthePearlHarborparadeinHawaiitheCodeTalkerDayontheNavajoRes-ervationandtheReunionofHonorontheislandsofGuamandIwoJimagrantusinvaluableoppor-tunitiestotrulylearnaboutnotonlyourcountryshistorybuttheheroeswhoshapedit.Throughexperienceslikethesewendthatbybetterunderstandingourveteranswecanbetterappreciateandservethem.Thissenseofserviceandunderstandingismostinuentialandprominentontheunitlev-el.AsYoungMarinesandasyouthwehavetheabilitytoinstillsmall-townAmericavaluesandcompassionintoeverycityandcommunityre-gardlessofitssizethroughtheworkthatweperform.Lookingatmanyofourunitsacrossthecoun-tryandinOkinawaJapanwendthatmanyofthecommunitieswheretheyarebasedwholeheartedlyrelyontheYoungMarinestoorganizeandcontributetoeventsforveteransappreciation.Wehavetheresponsibilityofpositivelyaffect-ingthelivesofthosetowhomweowesomuchthosewhofoughttocreateandmaintaintheUnitedStatesofAmericaweknowandlove.NationalYoungMarineoftheYearCornerLearningAboutHistoryThroughourHeroesYMSgtMajDakotaRichterDRUGDEMANDREDUCTIONLegalizingMarijuanaWhatsReallyGoingOnByJoeLusignanDrugDemandReductionResourceOfcerAsatwenty-somethingyearlawenforcementofcerandonewhosspentalargepartofhiscareerworkingwithkidsImdismayedthatmoreandmorepeoplearedrinkingtheMarijuanaistheanswertoallofourprayersKoolaid.MylocalnewspaperrecentlyprintedanarticleentitledMarijuanaIndustryEagertoPayTaxes.Notsurprisinginanerawhereourlegislaturesattempttobecreativewithfundingsomeareseriouslylookingatlegal-izingmarijuanawithagoaloftaxingit.Thisremindsmeofaninitiativethatwasrunafewyearsagowhereinanattempttomakealcoholmoreavailabletothepublicbusinessesfundedaninitiativetotakethesaleofalcoholoutofthehandsofthestatewhichhadbeenrunningtheliquorstoresandallowthewarehouse-styleandlargegrocerystorestosellit.Theinitiativepromotedexorbitanttaxesonthealcoholandthuswouldhelpalleviatethestateofsomeofitsnancialwoesandevenputmorelawenforcementofcersonthestreet.Ivotedagainstit.AsaSchoolResourceOfcerIknewtherewasalreadyanabundanceofalcoholndingitswayintothehandsofjuveniles.WhymakeiteveneasierforthemAfewyearslaterthestateisstillfullofnancialwoestherewasnoinuxofofcersonthestreetandtheneighbor-ingstateswhichdonottaxtheiralcoholoratleastnotasheavilyarenowvisitedfrequentlybyresidentsofourstatewhodonotlikepayingtaxes.Sonowthemarijuanaindustryisdanglingthetaxuscar-rotbeforeourlegislaturesasanotherrusetogetmarijuanalegalized.ContinuedESPRITFall20133 LegalizingMarijuanaContinuedSoherewastheplanforourstateThestatewouldlegalizemarijuanamonitoritsdistributionprocessmandatethattheTHClevelwouldbeamaxof3percentandslapsometaxonitandasaresultwewouldputmorecopsonthestreetgivemoneytoassistthosewhosufferfromsubstanceabuse--andallourprob-lemswouldbesolved.Outof40orsocountiesinthestatetheinitiativepassedinonly10ofthembutwithinthose10livethebulkofthepop-ulation.AnotherproblemhereifpeoplewhowantedtobuymarijuanacouldstillbuyitfromotherillegalsourcesatahigherTHClevelforlessmoneyandwithoutpayingtaxeshowmuchmoneydoyouthinkwouldactuallygointothestatecoffersMedicalmarijuanaisalreadylegalinourstateandallthatlegalizationdidwastogiveagreenlightnopunintendedtomorepeopletostartgrowingit.Thetruthismarijua-nadoesnotcureanything.Itcanassistinrelievingsomeformsofpainandalsoencouragesappetite.ButthereisalreadyanFDA-approvedmarijuana-derivedmedicationonthemarketthatdoesthosethingscalledMarinol.Butitsnotgoodenoughformanypeoplebecauseitdoesntgetyouhigh.Marijuanaisstilladangerousdrugthatseri-ouslyaffectsthelearningabilityofouryouth.IamagainstlegalizingitandfromexperienceIcantestifythatitisnothealthy.Butifpeoplestillwanttomakeitlegalatleasttheyshouldbehonest.Itsnotformedi-calreasonsitsnotforenlightenmentitsdarnsurenottosolvebudgetaryproblems.Itsbecausetheywanttogetstoned.Andaswithsomanyotherrecentdetrimentaldecisionsthatadultshavemadeourkidsaregoingtopaythecon-sequences.Marijuanaisstilladangerousdrugthatseriouslyaffectsthelearningabilityofouryouth.MAILBAGDearEspritIreallyenjoylearningaboutmapreadingandcompassnavigationandalsolearninghowtocopewithbul-lyingandpeerpressureatschoolandinmyneighborhood.TheEagleYoungMarineshashelpedmealot.IvereallyenjoyedthenewthingsImlearn-ingandfriendsIseeeachweek-end.ImgladIwasputintheYoungMa-rinesprogram.Thankyoutomymomandmyunit.YMPvtRicardoPerezEagleCADearEspritGrowingupinamedicalfosterhomeforthelast12yearsofmylifehasmadeadramaticimpactonhowIviewcom-munityservice.InAugusttheYoungMarinesofMiamiDadeparticipatedinacommunityBack-to-SchoolBashwherewedistributedover4500backpacksflledwithschoolsuppliestoschool-ageyouthsinfostercareandrelativecare.MSgtOmarieForbesscheduledthisprojectwiththeFosterParentAssociationofWestPalmBeachCounty.IwasalsoabletorunaDDRtableforthedayatthiseventwiththehelpofregisteredadultleadersandYoungMarinesofbothourMiamiDadeunitandtheYoungMarinesofPalmBeach-es.ThisprojectwasverydeartomyheartandIamverythankfultoallmyfellowyoungmarinesandadultstaffwhohelped.Letskeepgivingwhereourhelpisneededmostinourcom-munities.YMSgtShamilaForbesMiamiDadeFLDearEspritIwouldliketotakeamomenttoshinethespotlightonseveralofourmanydedicatedandhighlymotivatedYoungMarinesfortheirtrulyamaz-ingeffortsinourlatestfundraisertheGettysburgYoungMarines1stAnnualGolfScramble.YMCplBrauningYMLCplEmilyTurnquistYMPFCMichaelTurnquistandYMPFCChrisTurnquistworkedeverydayforweeksvisitinghundredsoflocationsandsendingoutnumerousletterstogainsponsorshipforthisevent.Theirhardworkandgunghoattitudepaidoff.Thescramblewasahugesuc-cessraisingthousandsofdollarsfortheunit.WhenthedayoftheeventcametheYoungMarinesteameduptothankthosewhocameouttoplayandhelpedwherevertheirserviceswereneeded.IftheyareanexampleofthefutureofthisprogramthenIcantwaittoseewhatthefutureholds.ShannonReddickExecutiveOfcerGettysburgPADearEspritThisyearImetsomeveryimpor-tantpeople.YestheywereincivilianclotheswhenImetthembuttheyareretiredMarines.WhenweknowourhistorywecaneithergiveasaluteorpropergreetingtothosehardchargingMarinespastandpresent.InadditiontoMGySgtDuaneSieg-mannUSMCretwhoistheunitcommanderofourEagleYoungMa-rinesImetSgtMajIronMikeMer-voshUSMCret.SgtMajMervoshisoneoftheGreatestGenerationinfactanIwoJimaveteran.YoungMarineswhoreceivetheIronMikeAwardinrecruittrainingshouldknowthattheirawardisnamedafterthisgreatMa-rine.IalsometAssistantCommandantoftheMarineCorpsGeneralJohnM.PaxtonUSMCandSgtMajSylvesterD.DanielswhoisbasedatMCRDSanDiegoWesternRecruitingRegion.Theseareveryimportantpeopletomeandweshouldthankthemeverytimeweseethem.YMPvt.GronholdtEagleCA4ESPRITFall2013 DearEspritIwanttotellyouaboutsomeoneIvemet.HeisaYoungMarineprivateintheYoungMarinesofthePalmBeach-esofFloridaandheisoneofmybestfriends.DuringourfreetimeYMPvtGomeshastoldmeaboutsomeofthechal-lengeshehadtofacetogetwhereheis.Hetoldmehehadtofacechalleng-esbeingarecruitandthentakinghisrstphysicaltnesstestandlearninghowtodopull-upsandpush-ups.Buttherewasonebigthingthatmo-tivatesmeabouthim.Hehasagoodcharacterandleadershipskillsandhenevergivesup.Wevehadlotsoffuntimesbecauseheisreallyfunny.Andheisabig-heartedpersonbecauseheisalwaysthinkingaboutothersandtryingtohelp.Hedoeswhatalotofpeoplecantdo.ThatiswhywecallhimBigHeartWithBoots.SubmittedanonymouslybyamemberofthePalmBeachesYoungMarinesFLDearEspritAboutamonthagoIwassittinginclassasIheardmyteachercallmynameinanactivityshecallsTer-ricKid.ThetraitthatshechosemeforwasIntegrity.ShesaidthatIcouldbetrustedandthatIwasveryfairandveryhonest.IwasveryexcitedtotellmyparentsandbrothersaboutwhatIhaveearned.WhoIwanttothankmostaremyparentsmyfellowYoungMarinesthestaffmembersandMs.Romaineourunitcommanderbe-causetheyhavetaughtmewhatinteg-ritymeansandhowtouseit.Ithankthemallfortheirsupport.YMPFCJacobBullockEnoRiverNCDearEspritIstartedattendingKennedyKriegerSchoolinfthgrade.Imnowaseniorinhighschoolanditsbeenareallygoodexperience.BeforeIcametotheschoolIwasbelowgradeleveloneverythingIhadlowself-esteemandmybehaviorwasanissue.YouseeIhavebeendi-agnosedtohaveAs-pergersyndrome.Whatsneataboutmyschoolisthatyouhavepeoplefromdifferentwalksoflife.AndbeingintheCentralMarylandYoungMarineshashelpedmetofocusonahealthydrug-freelifeandIgettomeetevenmorepeoplefromallover.LastfallIwasselectedtorepresentKennedyKriegerasastudentambassa-dorfortheFestivalofTreesaholidaycelebrationwhereIgottogreetSantaClausandthrowpresentstokids.ThemayorofNewWindsorpresentedmewithanOutstandingCitizenawardandIgaveaspeech.IwasabletoexpressthatIwouldnothavegottentowhereIamnowwith-outmyparentswhoshowedmethevalueofrespect.MymaingoalistogetintotheNa-valAcademyandgraduateasaMa-rineCorpsofcer.Idontseehowmydisabilitywillaffectmygettingthere.IbelievethatifIputmymindtoitanddomybestinschoolthenIwillsuc-ceedinmygoals.YMSgtBobNoblesCentralMarylandMDDearEspritFredisa400-poundbearcubwhoisanativeofCampLa-No-CheaBoyScoutcampinFloridawheremanyYoungMarinesattendsummeren-campments.ThissummerFredwasspottednumeroustimesthroughouttheweekIwasthereinvariousplacesaroundcamp.FredhasbeenknowntoraidacampsiteforsomethingassimpleasaTootsieRollleftoutsome-where.AlthoughFredisafriendlynamebearsarestillverydangerousespe-ciallywithasenseofsmelllikeFreds.EveryYoungMarineatcampwastoldaboutFredandhowtoavoidhim.Thestaffcollectedallourcandyandsnacksandputthemwherehopeful-lyFredtheBearwouldntsmellthem.WealsocleanedupourcampsitesofanytrashtoavoidattractingFred.Lastlyweweretoldthatifween-counteredFredwehadtostaycalmandslowlybackawaywithoutlookingintoFredseyesorscaringhim.WeveonlyheardofFredsightingsbutImgladwehaventrunintohim.YMCplHeathCoyPalmBeachesFLYMGySgtOscarPinateoftheMiamiDadeFLYoungMarineshaslivedintheUnitedStatesforjustsevenyears.HewroteEspritrecentlytoannouncethathehasjusttakentheOathofAl-legianceandbecomeacitizenaswell.Ithasbeenagreatjourneyforhimwithmanyobstaclestoovercomesinceherstarrivedhereattheageofeight.IamproudandthankfultobeanAmericanhewrites.IknowwhatitmeanstohavenofreedomsandtohavenorightsIcomefromacountrywherethereisadictatorshipinplaceandaregimethatdoesnotcareforhumanrights.Iwillneverforgetwhatthiscountryhasdoneforme.BeingaUnitedStatescitizenalsoallowsmetobecomeanofcerinourarmedforcesandwiththatIplanongivingbacktothisgreatnationbybecomingaleaderofMarinesinthefuture.SpencerMorenoformallyoftheTemeculaValleyYoungMarinestheDoug-lasCountyYoungMarinesandmostrecentlytheMountainViewYoungMarinesgraduatedfromMCRDSanDiegoasaPFCintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsonMay242013.HeiscurrentlyinhisMOStrainingatCampLejeune.PFCMorenoisfollowinginthefootstepsofhisgrandfathershisfa-therandhistwooldersiblingsbyjoin-ingthemilitary.PFCSpencerMorenoUSMCwithproudmomBrendaMcNulty.WhereAreTheyGoingWhereAreTheyNowESPRITFall20135 NAVAJOCODETALKERDAYEveryyearsince2006YoungMarinesfromacrossthecountrygatheronAugust14inWindowRockAZtohonortheNavajoCodeTalkersofWorldWarII.Seeboxforhistoricalbackground.ThisyeartheYoungMarinesthemefortheeventwasTeachingTodaysYouthaboutYesterdaysHeroes.Morethan100YoungMarinesarrivedrepresenting17unitstospendthreedayspartici-patingandlearning.Twenty-fourveteranCodeTalkersweretherethisyearandmanyofthemspenttimetalkingwithouryouths.TheYoungMarinesassistedinthefestivitiesasescortstotheseveryspecialveterans.Theyalsohelpedwithset-upandtake-downandagainenjoyinganunusualhonormarchedintheNavajoNationParade.TheNavajoNationputonaculturalclassespeciallyfortheYoungMarinesandtheYoungMarinespresentedgiftstotheCodeTalkersandtheirwives.ABriefHistoryDuringtheearlymonthsofWorldWarIIJapaneseintelligenceexpertsbrokeeverycodetheU.S.forcesde-vised.Thisenabledthemtosabotagemessagesandambushalliedtroopswithalarmingease.AlthoughourcodeswereencryptedtheywereallbasedonEnglish.ThenamannamedPhilipJohnstonthesonofamissionarytotheNavajossug-gestedtotheU.S.militarythattheydevelopacodebasedontheNavajolanguagewhichwasunwrittenandwasthenspokenbyfewerthan30non-Navajosintheworld.Themilitarytookuptheideaandbytheendofthewarmorethan420NavajoshadjoinedtheMarineCorpsasCodeTalkers.Oncetheywereonthefrontlinestheyprotectedthecodebymemoriz-ingitandneverwritingitdown.Dur-ingthersttwodaysoftheBattleofIwoJimaCodeTalkerstransmitted800messages--withnomistakes.Theirfaithfuleffortswerecriticaltovictoriesnotonlytherebutinthebat-tlesofGuadalcanalTarawaSaipanandOkinawa.SoutheastCountyYoungMarineswithoneoftheNavajoCodeTalkers.Ihavealwaysbeeninterestedinthewarshistory.IalsohaveasecondcousinwhoisaNavajo.TheNavajoCodeTalkerDaywastheperfectopportunityformetoexplorenotonlypartofmyownfamilyhistorybutalsoarareopportunitytomeetthefewCodeTalkersthatremain.YMPFCCarsonHagueDouglasCountyYoungMarinesItwasaprivilegetoeducatetheYoungMarinesabouttheroleoftheNavajoCodeTalkersandgivethemtheopportunitytomeettheselivingheroes.--MichaelSmithNavajoCodeTalkerDayCoordinatorandsonofNavajoCodeTalkerSamuelSmith6ESPRITFall2013August142013 ByYMPvtKeiraBaseSoutheastCountyCAMythreesistersandIattendedCodeTalkerDayinWindowRockAZrepresentingourcityofSealBeachCAandourunit.Ourunitpackedup35blanketsasgiftsfortheCodeTalkers.ItwasreallyfunbeingattheCodeTalkerDayeventanddoingalltheac-tivitieslikecleaningtheparkmarchingintheparadeandhear-ingtheCodeTalkerslifestories.IlearnedthattheNavajosingtheNationalAnthemintheirownlanguageandareverypatriotic.MysistersandItookapicturewithaCodeTalkertoo.Oneofmymostmemorableexperienceswasmeetingandtalk-ingtoMr.GeneBellwhoismorethan90yearsold.HewitnessedtheraisingoftheIwoJimaagandhehadcometoWindowRocktomeettheCodeTalkers.Ireallylikedtalkingtohimespeciallywhenheshowedushiscollectionofchallengecoins.ThiswasagoodtripandIhopethatIcanseetheCodeTalkersagainnextyear.TalkingWithWorldWarIIVeteransKeiraleftandKlarisseBasesharingamomentwithMr.GeneBellanIwoJimaveteran.AdoptedIntoaFamilyofCodeTalkersatWindowRockByYMPvtKeiraBaseSoutheastCountyCAThisyeartheTemeculaValleyYoungMarinesmadetheirrsttriptoWindowRockAZtoparticipateinNavajoCodeTalkerDay.Wetook23YoungMarinesandjoinedothersfromunitsallacrossthecountry.Myexperiencetherewaslifechang-ing.IwasassignedtobetheeventcoordinatorbyMs.BrendaMc-Nultytotakephotographsthrough-outthedayandIsawagentlemanwalkingwithaverylargepictureofaNavajoCodeTalker.HeletmetakeapictureofhimandwhenIaskedhimifthepicturehecarriedwasofhisgrandfatherhesaidthatitwasofhisfatherGeorgeSmith.HetoldmethathisnamewasIrvinSmithandthathisfatherGeorgehadbeen17andhisuncleAlbertjust15whentheybothliedabouttheirageandjoinedtheMarineCorpsduringthewar.Theybothbe-cameCodeTalkersandtheywerebothontheirwaytothePacicThe-aterwhenthewell-knowntragedyoftheSullivanbrothershappened.Allvebrotherswerekilledwhentheirshipwastorpedoedandsanksoafterthatthemilitarynolongerallowedbrotherstoserveinthesameunits.TheSmithbrotherswereseparatedanddidnotseeeachotheragainuntilafterthewarwhentheyhappenedtogetonthesamebustogohome.Irvinsfatherpassedawayin2012attheageof90andhisunclepassedawaythispastAprilattheageof88.HetoldmethathisfamilywasstillinmourningoverthelossandthathehadcometoWindowRockbe-causetheywouldhavebeenthereiftheywerestillalive.Hefeltlikehewashonoringthem.WetalkedforawhilelongerandthenhegavemeaMarineCorpsstickerthathisfatherhadgivenhim.WhenIsaidIcouldnttakeitandthatheshouldgiveittoafamilymemberIrvinputhishandonmyshoulderandtoldmethatIhadcomeheretohonortheCodeTalkersincludinghisfa-theranduncleandthatmademefamily.Iwasspeechless.Ihumblyac-ceptedthestickerfromIrvinandthankedhim.Weexchangedcontactinformationandahugandthencon-tinuedourdaybutIwasforeverchanged.ThisisanamazingeventandeachyearmoreYoungMarinestraveltoWindowRocktoparticipate.Mr.IrvinSmithsonofaNavajoCodeTalker.ESPRITFall20137 DISCOVERINGDISCOVERINGHISTORYHByYMLCplLukeGorleskyCapitolCityNCIwasoneof30YoungMa-rinesfromallovertheUnitedStateswhoenjoyedaweeklongSPACESadventurecalledtheWildWestExcursion.IttookplaceinRapidCityandtheBlackHillsofSouthDakota.Fourofthehighlightswerevisit-ingMt.RushmorevisitingtheCrazyHorseMonumentvisit-ingan1880townandnallygoingtotheBadlands.WhenwearrivedatMt.Rush-moretherstthingwedidwaseatatarestaurantwherewehadaperfectviewofMt.Rushmoreandwheretheyservedbuffalostewamongotherthings.AfterwardswetookahikeandwatchedashortlmcliponhowMt.Rushmorewasbuilt.WealsotouredamuseumwhichdescribedtheNativeAmericanslifeandtheirculture.Anotherhighlightwasvisitingandex-ploringatownfromthe1880s.Wefeltwhatitwasliketolivebackthenandwhatpeopledidintheirsparetimeandwegottodressascowboysandcow-girls.Wealsogottoduelwithfakegunstoo.AnothertimewewatchedalmcliponthenatureoftheBadlandswhereitfeltlikeyouwereinthedesertalthoughitwasveryhumid.Thetemperaturecangetupto112degreesBuffaloStewWasontheMenuByYMLCplChaseDavisCherryPointNCOurunitstriptoSouthDakotathissummerwasthersttripwehadevermadethere.ItwasgreatgettingtomeetotherYoungMarinesfromotherstatesandreallyfunlearningabouttheplainsandthewaypeoplehavelivedthereincludingthewaytheNativeAmeri-canslived.WemetaLakotaSiouxchiefnamedChiefBeautifulBaldEaglewhohadbeenintheU.S.ArmyduringWorldWarIIandwasaparatrooper.Hewasshotatthreetimesbutsurvivedandisadecoratedveteran.AnotherthingwegottolearnwasahoopdancetaughtbyaNativeAmeri-candancer.Itwasfun.WegottoseethesetwheresomeofthelmDanceswithWolveswaslmed.WebuiltateepeeandwesawthebisonorTatankawhichmeansBisonintheSiouxlanguagealongwithmanyotheranimals.Theplainsandtherollinghillswereamazingtowakeupto.TheBlackHillswereevencoolertoseealongwiththeBadlandswhereapieceofdesertlandstartsandifitwasntforthatdesertthenativelanguagemightnothavebeenaroundbecausethatswherethena-tivesedforshelteragainsttheU.S.Army.ThelastthingthatstoodouttomewasthesiteofWoundedKneetheplacewhere300LakotamenwomenandchildrenwerekilledbytheU.S.7thCavalryinDecember1890.In1970abravegroupknownastheAmericanIndianMovementheldtheirgroundthereprotestingforequalrights.ByfarthiswasthebesttimeIveeverhadasaYoungMarine.AsayoungNavajomyselfIhavecometoappre-ciatelearningallofthisandIhopemaybeIcangothereagainsometimeinthefuture.WalkingintheFootstepsoftheLakotaSiouxA100-year-oldphotoshowsthreeLakotaSiouxbrothers--WhiteLanceJosephHornCloudandDeweyBeardlefttorightwhosurvivedthe1890massacreoftheirtribemembersatWoundedKnee.OurNations8ESPRITFall2013 ByYMGySgtMatthewOBrienCarrollCountyMDThissummermyfamilydroveacrossthecountrytoexperiencethenationalandstateparksalongtheway.OnourwayhomewestoppedatalittlethriftshopinJacksonHoleWY.IwaslookingthroughsomegarmentbagsthereandaladyapproachedmeandaskedwhyIneededthebag.IexplainedtoherthatIwasintheYoungMarinesprogramandmyneedsforthebag.SheproceededtotellmethatheruncleCharlesLindberg--nottobeconfusedwiththefamouspilotCharlesLindbergh--wasaUnitedStatesMarineandamongthemenwhoraisedthefrstagonIwoJima.Shewentontotellmeallabouthimandhisfamily.Cpl.LindbergalsofoughtonGuadalcanalandinBougainville.HereceivedmanyawardsincludingthePurpleHeart.IlaterrealizedthatifIwasnotapartoftheYoungMarineprogramIwouldveneverhadthisgreatlearningexperience.AGreatExperienceinanUnexpectedPlaceShenandoahValleyVAThissummerseveraloftheYoungMarinesfromtheShenandoahValleyunitwentonoutingswiththeirfami-liesthatenrichedtheirknowledgeofhistory.YMPvtLincolnDaytravelledtoBedfordVAinJulyforFamilyDayattheNationalD-DayMemorial.Theeventprovidedhands-onactivitiesfromtheWorldWarIIeraincludingtheopportunitytoberecruitedintotheNavy--circa1943.Theexperi-enceincludedaknowledgetesttoscreenforaptitudecompletingadraftapplicationandevenaswearing-inceremony.ThebestpartofthedaywashearingfromveteranswhofoughtonD-Dayhelatertoldhisunit.Itwasinterestingtohearthestoriesfromactualpeopleinsteadofjustreadingtheminbooks.AnotherfortunateYoungMarinewhopickedupsomehistoryoverthesum-merwasYMPvtWilliamHarrisonwhospentthemajorityofhisfamilysvacationinhistoricWilliamsburgVAlearningabouttheearlyrootsofAmericanmilitaryhistory.Ilovehis-toryandIlovehands-onstuffwhereyoucanactuallyexperiencewhathappenedinhistoryhesaid.Onthetriphelearnedalotaboutthebravecitizen-soldiersandthehugeparttheyplayedinestablishingAmerica.MyfavoriteplaceinWilliamsburgisthemagazineheadded.Ispentalotoftimethereaskingquestionsabouttheweaponsavailableduringcolo-nialtimesandhowtheyevolvedintowhatthemilitaryusestoday.Time-TravellingtotheColonialEraandWorldWarllLincolnDayatthe1943NavyrecruitingtentinBedfordVA.WilliamHarrisonwithacolonialsoldier.ESPRITFall20139 ByYMCplJudeSmithCapitolCityNCIlearnedmorehistoryontheGreatAmericanHistoryAd-venturethanIeverdidbefore.OurrststopwasintheBostonareawherewegottoseetheSalemWitchMuseuminSa-lemMAandlearnedaboutthewitchtrialsandhowscaryitwasbackthenbecausepeoplewerekilledwhentheywerewrongfullyac-cused.WhileatPlimothPlantationwegottoseewhatlifewaslikeinthelate1620s.ThetwoexhibitstheyhadweretheWampanoaghomesiteandthe1627pilgrimsettlementthelastwasspecialtomebecauseJohnandPriscillaAldenareinmyfamilytree.Myfavoritepartofthetripwasgo-ingallthewaytothetopoftheEm-pireStateBuildinginNewYorkCitywheretheviewwasgorgeous.The911Memorialwasaverysol-emnplacetovisitbecausewesawwherethetwintowerswerethenamesofthevictimswholosttheirlivesthereandthetreethatsurvivedtheattacks.WhenwewenttoPhiladelphiawesawtheplacewheretheDeclarationofIndependencewasrstreadandbronzelife-sizedstatuesthatreplicatedthesigningoftheDeclara-tion.WewenttotheRevolutionaryWarsiteofValleyForge.WelistenedtostoriesaboutGeorgeWashingtonsexperi-encewhichwascoolandwesawWashingtonsheadquar-terstherewhichwas80percentoriginalincludingthehandrailingwhereWashingtonshandswere.LaterdowninVirginiawewenttoMountVernonwhereWashingtonlivedandsawthebedwherehesleptandwherehealsopassedaway.WhenwewenttoGettysburgPAwewereabletoseethebattleeldwhereover46000Americanswerekilledorinjured.Wealsovisitedtwoothercivilwarbattle-eldsbothinVirginia.Ourexperi-enceatPamplinParkinPetersburgVAwasreallyawesome.Weredrealmusketscanonsandmortars.ItwasarealopportunitytofeelwhatitwasliketobeaCivilWarsoldier.AnotheroneofmytopplacestogotowasArlingtonNationalCemeterywherewesawthe1983SpaceShut-tleChallengermemorialthechang-ingoftheguardattheTomboftheUnknownsandJohnF.Kennedysgravesite.WealsowenttotheNa-tionalArchiveswhereoriginalcopiesoftheDeclarationofIndependencetheUnitedStatesConstitutionandtheBillofRightsarekept.ThebestpartinDCwasseeingtheWashingtonMonumentlitupatnighteventhoughtherewasscaffoldingcoveringtheentiremonument.IreallyenjoyedthisS.P.A.C.E.S.eventwhereIhadtheuniquechancetodiscoverournationshistory.IhopethatwhoevergoesnextyearhasasmuchfunasIdid.HisOwnAmericanHistoryAdventureJudeSmithwithYMOYDakotaRichter.BYYMPFCJeremyHoltzEagleCAThissummerforthethirdyearourEagleYoungMarineswereaskedtovisitBalboaParkinSanDiegotohonortheveteransofWorldWarIIbymarchingthecolorguardattheVeteransMemorialandMuseumCentersKeep45Aliveevent.Itwasnothingshortofaneyeopeningex-perienceaswegottoviewthemuseumwhichwasformedin1989tohonorandperpetuatethememoriesofallmenandwomenwhohaveservedinourArmedForces.Weaponsfromnumerouswarsareondis-playatthemuseum.Equipmentandgearwerealsovisibleonmannequinsandinpicturesandstoriesframedtoeducatethevisitors.WealsohadtheopportunitytospeakwithWorldWarIIveteranswhosharedstoriesabouttheirtimespentservingourcountry.OnemantoldusaboutatimewhentheJapanesetookhimtoaPOWcampforthreeyears.Thiswasalsoexcitingasitwasmyrsttimeperformingcolorguard.ThankfullyformeEagleYMCpl.Morenowastheretoteachmehowtomaneuvertherie.Priortoourreturnhomewewerefedpas-tawithmeatballsandasaladwithbreadandbutterforfree--soifyouwereamongthepeoplewhofedusthatdayabigthank-youtoyouagain.Manynewadventuresarecomingmywaywiththisunit.Thehistoricalexposuregrowthanddevelopmentismosthonor-able.HonoringandLearningfromtheVeteransofWorldWarllDISCOVERINGHISTORYOurNations10ESPRITFall2013 ByYMPvtJacenLewisGettysburgPATheGettysburgYoungMarineshadtheopportunityinJulytoattendthereenactmentoftheBattleofGettysburg.Thisreenactmentwasspecialbecauseitwasthe150than-niversaryofthebattle.Ontherstdaywewereabletogetsigna-turesfrombothreenactorsanddescendantsofthosewhoactuallyfoughttherelongago.Ourrstsigna-turewasfromthegreatgreatgreatgrandsonofConfederateGeneralGeorgeE.Pickett.Oursecondsignaturewasfromareenactorplay-ingtheroleofJohnIdola.k.a.Greastull.WewerealsoabletogetasignaturefromanotherreenactorwhoplayedtheroleofConfederateGeneralHenryHeath.Onbothdayswewereabletowatchdifferentreenactments.OnSaturdaywewereabletoseeacavalrybattlerepre-sentingthemomentwhenConfederateGeneralJebStuartarrivedonthebattleeld.Unfortunatelyduetoaschedulechangewemissedthelivereexerciseafterthebattle.OnSundaywewereabletoseethereenactmentofPickettsCharge.Bothofthesewereexcitingbecausewegottoseewhathappenedinhistorytakingplaceinfrontofoureyes.OnbothdayswewerealsomanningatabletohelpshowsupportfortheU.S.troopscur-rentlyserving.Atourtablewehadpostcardsandbannersforpeopletosign.Whilesomeofusmannedthetableothersofuswalkedaroundlettingthevisitorsknowtheyhadtheopportunitytogotothetableandshowsupport.Weallhadagreatexperienceandfunweekend.Wearelookingforwardtothenextyear.TheTurningPointoftheCivilWarRecreatedBeforeTheirEyesA19thcenturydepictionofGeneralPickettschargeduringtheBattleofGettysburg.ReprintedwithpermissioncourtesyofAdamCuerden.ExperiencesThatChangetheWayYouViewtheWorldByYMMGySgtAlexLoriaColWesleyFoxVAThispastsummerhasbeenveryeventfulforme.IthashelpedmediscoverthingsaboutmyselfthatImayneverhavelearnedwithouttheYoungMarines.FirstwastheSPACESCattleDrivewhichwasthemostlife-changingex-perienceofall.Itwasalsoanopportunitytostrengthenmyleadershipskills.Itsoundsstrangebutwhenyourework-ingwithananimalinthiscaseahorsethatcanonlyun-derstandyourbodylanguageitforcesyoutolookathowyoucommunicatewithoutusingwords.Ilearnedthatnon-verbalcommunicationisjustasimportantasverbalcom-munication.Thenextofmylife-changingexperiencesthissummerwasnotwiththeYoungMarinesbutamissiontriptoPhila-delphia.ThistripwasaneyeopenerbecausealthoughIknewthatpovertyexistsIhadneverseenitrsthand.Ihadtheopportunitytospeakwithandhelpthoselessfortunatethanmyself.IndoingsoIbecamealotlessarrogantabouttheconditionsthatsomepeoplehavetoliveinandmoreappreciativeofthethingsthatIhave.Ideeplyenjoyedthechancetohelpthoseworseoffthanme.MythirdandnalexperiencewastheNavajoCodeTalk-ersDayinArizonawiththeYoungMarines.IhadneverbeentothiseventbeforenorhadIheardabouttheCodeTalkers.Ilearnedaboutthiselitegroupofwarriorsfromournationshistorywhooftengetoverlookedinhistorybooks.WemetandservedtheveteranCodeTalkerswhilewelis-tenedtothestoriestheytold.Theirculturewasinterestingaswell.Allinallmysummerwasfullofoutstandingandincred-ibleexperiencesthatIwillrememberfortherestofmylife.IlovetheYoungMarinesfortheopportunitiesitoffersandIcantwaittillnextsummer.DISCOVERINGHISTORYOurNationsESPRITFall201311 SPACESByYMCplCalebWetzelCapitalCityNCAtSpaceCampIenjoyedmyselfverymuch.IwasthereinJulyandImetnewpeopleandmadenewfriendsfromalloverthecountry.ThethingthatIreallylikedwastheFA-18ightsimulation.IlearnedalotatSpaceCampandifIcouldgobackIwould.TherearetworeasonswhyIwouldwanttogoback.TherstreasonistoseethepeoplethatImetlastyearagain.AlsoIwouldliketomeetnewpeoplefromalloverthecountryagain.Igottolearnaboutotherpeopleandwheretheyarefrom.ThesecondreasonIwouldliketogobackistodotheMachIIIAviationChallengesoIcanlearnmoreaboutaviationandusetheMachIIIightsimulations.ByYMSgtBrittanyHannahMiami-DadeFLThissummerIhadtheopportunitytoattendtheSPACESadventureinMontanaknownastheWorkingCattleRanchExperience.Aftermeetingupwith13otherYoungMarinesfromalloverthecountrywemadeourwaytoourhomeforthenextsevendaystheDryheadRanch.Throughouttheweekwedidntjustridehorseswealsoaccom-plishedthingsIwouldneverhaveimaginedIwouldhavedoneinmylife.Welearnedhowtoherdandbrandcattlehowtousealassoandweeachhadthechancetotrainandnameacoltwhichisayoungmalehorse.InamedmycoltSam.Everydaywealsohadtofeedacalfanddodishesaftereachmeal.Attheendoftheweektheranchstaffheldafriendlycompeti-tionsowecouldtestournewlylearnedskillsagainsteachother.Intheendweallcameoutwinners.Notonlydidwelearnsomeofthemostimportantthingsaboutlivingacowboycowgirllifestylebutwealsolearnedaboutour-selves.IcanhonestlysaythatmytimeinMon-tanawastheexperi-enceofalifetimeandthememorieswecreatedwillbecherishedforever.Iamextremelythank-fulthattheYoungMarinesprogramgavemetheopportunitytoparticipateinthisexperiencethatallowedmetolearnsomuchaboutmyselfandalsoallowedmetomeetsomanyincredibleindi-vidualsSpaceCampWellWorthaReturnTripSheNamedHerColtSamBrittanyHannahfeedslivestockatDryheadRanch.ByYMSgtIsaiahThompsonTarrantCountyTXMylongadventureattheTennesseeRegimenthadbeenamazingandmyrstyearatJuniorLeadershipSchoolinTennesseewaslifechanging.ButthisyearbeinginSeniorLeadershipSchoolreallysealedthedeal.ImetmoreYoungMarinesthanever.Myinstructorswereverydisciplinedandmotivational.WordscannotexpresswhatmyfellowYoungMarinesandIexperienced.Idliketosaythankyoutothestaffandadultsforhelpingmerealizewhatmynewgoalsareformyunit.GratitudeforSeniorLeadershipSchoolStoriesfromtheYoungMarines2013SummerProgramsofAdventuresChallengesEncampmentsandSchools.SPACES12ESPRITFall2013 ByYMGySgtOscarPinateMiamiDadeFLThissummersAdvancedLead-ershipSchoolwasagreatexpe-rience.IlearnedalotaboutwhoIamasapersonandwhatstyleofleadershipbestworksforme.IalsometagreatgroupofyoungmenandwomenwithwhomImadebondsthatwilllastalife-time.Therstweekwaspackedwithloadsofoutstandingactivities.Wehadourphysicaltnesstestsandvariousleadershipclasses.LearningwildernesssurvivalandrstaidwasveryinterestingandgaininginsightfromthenewRecruitInstructorcoursewasveryhelpful.MessNightwasafun-lledrelaxingeveningwithadeli-ciousmealandmanylaughs.OnthesecondweektheSeniorLead-ershipSchoolSLSstudentsarrivedandwewereallassignedourbillets.IwasfortunateenoughtoteachanSLSclasswithtwootheroutstandingYoungMarineleaders.OneofmyfavoriteclasseswasFSHPhiloso-phywhichwastaughtbytheexpertscientistwhoinventedtheLayspo-tatochipproductcalledBakedIwelcomedhowweweretreatedasleadersandgivengreatamountsofresponsibility.Alsohavingthein-credibleopportunitytoinspireandmotivatetheSLSclasswasveryful-lling.Iamproudandhonoredtobepartofsuchanoutstandinggroupofleadersandtohavebeenpartofsuchamemorableexperience.InspiredandMotivatedbyAdvancedLeadershipSchoolSomeotheguysgoofngorthecameraatthisyearsA.L.S.ByYMSSgtTorieHillMiltonLewisFLThispastsummerItookajourneydowntheeastcoastoftheUnitedStates.ItwaswiththeSPACESprogramknownastheGreatAmericanHistoryAdventure.WestartedinBostonMAthenwenttoNewYorkPhiladelphiaWashingtonD.C.andvarioussitesinVirginia.Thistriptakesyoubackintimetowhenwarsragedandwhenmonumentalchangestookplace.OnefavoriteofminewasaplacecalledPlimothPlantation.Inthisvillagepeoplereenactedwhattheearly1600swouldvebeenlikewhenpilgrimsin-habitedtheland.Theyspokewithac-centsandliterallyplayedtheroleofpilgrims.AndthenearbyWampanoagvillagewashostedbyrealdescendantsoftheIndiansofthattime.TheWampa-noagpeoplespoketousaboutthehis-toryoftheirpeople.Oneofthemostemotionalplaceswewenttowasthe911MemorialinNewYorkCityamemorialthatwilltrulytouchyourheartandmakeyouthinkabouthowthistragedyimpactedAmer-ica.TheseareonlytwoexamplesofthetonofopportunitiesyougettoexperienceonthistourwhichalsoincludedgoingtothetopoftheEmpireStateBuildingvisitingIndependenceHalllookingthroughtheNationalMuseumoftheMarineCorpsandseeingallthewarmemorialsinWashington.Notonlyisthistourabouthistoryitisalsoaboutmakingnewfriends.YoumeetkidsfromallovertheUnitedStatesandgettotalktothemabouthowtheirunitsmeetworkandrun.ThepeopleImetonthistripimpactedmylifeforthebetterandmademewanttoworkhard-ertoachievemygoalsintheprogram.Ihighlyrecommendthistrip.FromPilgrimLandtotheBigAppleandMoreWalkingthepathsathistoricPlimothPlantation.AttheIwoJimaMemorialinWashington.ESPRITFall201313 MeetinganIndianChiefandPanningforGoldByYMCplNathanByrdNorthernKentuckyKYTheWildWestExcursiontripItookpartinthissummerwasagreatexperi-ence.ImetmanyotherYoungMarinesfromallacrossthenationwhoIamnowgoodfriendswith.ItwasaweekofexploringtheBlackHillsofSouthDa-kotawherewewentallaroundseeinghistorictrainsawesomeviewsofthemountainsandforestandwildlife.ThestateofSouthDakotaisveryma-jesticandthelandscapesareunique.Theygofromaatplainsregionwhereranchersherdtheircattleandfarmersgrowcropstoamassivemountainousregionwhereelkandmountainlionsareeverywhere.OnepointinthetripthatIreallyenjoyedwasmeetingaNa-tiveAmericanchiefoftheLakotatribeChiefBaldEagle.Heis94yearsoldandaWorldWarIIveteranwhoservedasaparatrooperandwasoneoftherstalliedmentomakeitintoNormandy.Weallthankedthisgreatpersonforhisserviceandgotapicturewithhim.WealsowenttotheCrazyHorseMe-morial.ThismemorialisalotlikeMt.Rushmorebutmuchlarger.Theyhavebeencarvingthemountainfordecadesandhaveonlynishedthehead.AllfourofthepresidentsheadsatMt.RushmorecouldtinsideoftheCrazyHorsememorialsheadWealsowenttothehistoricaltownofDeadwoodwhichhasalwaysbeenfamousforitsgamblingandsaloons.DeadwoodwasalsothehomeofWildBillHickockthefastestgunintheWesthisrealnamewasJamesButlerHickok.Oneotherstopwasatanac-tualoldwesttown.Thiswasnoreplicatherewereactualoriginalbuildingsdirtroadsandeverythingyouwouldseeinanoldwesternlm.WewentinsidehistoricalminesfromthefamousGoldRushintheWestandwereabletopanforgoldaswell.IwasevenabletocollectafewakesofgoldtokeepasasouvenirSouthDakotaisagreatplaceandthiswasanawesometrip.ThiswasthersteverWildWestExcursionforYoungMarinesandIde-nitelythinkthatotherYoungMarinesshouldhavetheopportunitytoexperi-encethistripinthefuture.SimulatedSpecialOpsatMachIAviationChallengeByYMPFCConradMcLeodCherryPointNCIwashappythattheYoungMarinesallowedeleven-year-oldstogotoMachIAviationChallengethisyear.IhavebeenintheYoungMarinessinceIwaseightbutthiswasmyrstSPACEStrip.TheschoolislocatedatTran-quilityBaseinHuntsvilleAL.WhenIrstgotthereIwasputintothegroupnamedtheMustangsandgivenmyroomassignment.Weweregivenlinenandhadtomakeourracks.Wewereintroducedtoourinstructorswhogaveustheruleswewereexpectedtofollowandweweregivencallsignsbytheothersinourgroup.MycallsignwasShrugs.Duringmyweektherewehadclassesonthedifferenttypesofaircraftusedbythearmedforceslearnedhowtooperatetheightsimulatorsandlearnedwatersurvival.WedidaNavySealopsmis-sion.Myfavoritetimewaswhenwedidateamexerciseatnight.Theobjectwastogetobjectstotwodifferentlocationsinthedarkwithoutbeingdetected.Anotherfuntimewaswhenwedidthehelicoptercrashsimulator.Itwasaheli-copterinthewaterthatwassinkingandwehadtogetoutofitbeforeitsank.IwouldencourageotherYoungMa-rinestoworkongettingpromotedandmeettheotherrequirementssothattheycangotoMachIortootherSPAC-EStripsnextsummer.DontworryparentsItwasntarealsinkinghelicopter.EditorLearningtoDriveCattleFromRanchersByYMSgtMajAlexanderMessmerCherryPointNCTheCattleDriveExperiencewiththeYoungMarinesgavemeawholenewinsightintohowwegetourfoodandwhereitcomesfrom.WearrivedinBill-ingscheckedinandthenwemetwiththestaffofthecattleranch.Itwasaneatexperiencetomeetwithpeoplewhohaveworkedaroundcattletheirwholelives.Thesepeopletoldusaboutthem-selvesandalittlebitofhistoryabouttheranch.Wethensettledinforthenightsothatwaywecouldprepareforthecomingdays.Withinthenextfewdayswelearnedaboutthedifferentpartsofourequip-menthowtoproperlyusetheequip-mentandtechnique.Overallthiswasabigexperienceforusfromwakingupandpreparingourhorseforthedaysworktobrandingcattle.AsidefromlearningabouttheranchandtheworkthatisdoneontheranchImetalotofYoungMarineswhoIbondedwithandworkedwithasateam.TheseYoungMarineswerealsogreatpeopletolearnfrom.WhenallissaidanddoneIlovedtheexperienceandwoulddoitoveragainifIcould.ConradMcLeodproudtobeatMachIcamp.AlexanderMessmerridinginonawhitehorse.14ESPRITFall2013 ByYMLCplJessicaHemenwayCherryPointNCWhenIrstheardabouttheGreatAmericanHistoryAdventureIremem-beredmyhistoryclassesandthoughtitwasgoingtobeboring.ButafterwewatchedavideofromlastyearstripIthoughttomyselfSignmeupWhenthedaynallycameweewintoBostonMAandthatrstdaywestayedattheairportuntildinnerbe-causeofallthepeopleyinginfromallover.WhilevisitingBostonwesawlotsofhistoricplaces.AttheBunkerHillMonumentweclimbedall294steps--itwasverypainfulWealsowenttotheSalemWitchMuseum.Iamalsoread-ingabookabouttheSalemwitchtrialsandalthoughthepeopleandtheplacesmatchedupwithwhatwesawthesto-riesdidnot.Iguessitislikethegameoftelephone.ThenextstopwasNewYorkCity.WewentupaveryfastelevatorinsidetheEmpireStateBuildingandwealsowenttothe9-11Memorial.Istillremem-berthestoryaboutthepeartreetherewhichrepresentstosomethatnotallislostandtoothersitstandsforourcountrysresilience.OntoPenn-sylvaniawherewealsostayedforonenight.AmongotherhistoricsiteswesawthehousewhereBetsyRosslivedandsewedourrstAmericanag.Wealsogottovisithergrave.InPhiladelphiawegottoseetheactualLibertyBellwhichwasbrokenwhenitrstarrivedfromEuropebuttwoblacksmithsstilllearninghowtomakebellsxeditaftermanytries.WeallranupthestepsofthefamousmuseumtotheRockyStat-uetooIalmostfell.WhenwegottoWestVirginiaandVirginiawewenttoHarpersFerryandclimbedupabunchofhillsandtouredoldhomes.TheninVirginiawestoppedoffataCivilWarreenactmentandjoinedin.OurgroupswarcrywasHUZZAHWepracticeddifferentwarstrategiesandthateveningafterdin-neranddancingwehadanattackonourcampsite--sothistimetheNorthandtheSouthworkedtogethertotakedownthebandits.ThiswasthemostfunandhistorictoobecausethiswasoneoftheactualbattleeldsoftheCivilWar.OurlaststopwasWash-ingtonDC.Wewenttomanymemorialsandmonumentsandmetavet-eranwhohadlosthisleg.AtArlingtonCemeterywewatchedthechangingoftheguardswhichwasanamazingceremonyandlaterMr.Kesslergaveusaverymotivat-ingspeech.ThateveningwewenttotheMarineBarracks8thandISunsetParadewheretheyhadthenewmascotChestyabulldogthatisveryadorable.Thistriphastaughtmeafewthings.Oneisthatyoucanneverbetoooldtolearnnewthings.IamgladthatIamintheYoungMarinesandwaspriv-ilegedtobeabletogoonthistrip.Ialsolearnedthatthiscountrywouldnothavebeenthewayitistodayifevery-onewhomadeourhistoryhadgivenup.WalkinginHistorysFootstepsNotBoringOnthebusbetweenhistoricsitesandmoments.AFeelingofIndependenceatAviationChallengeMachIIByYMLCplLathanWhitlowCherryPointNCThissummerIhadtheopportunitytotraveltoHuntsvilleALasaMachIIstudent.OntheridetheremyfellowYoungMarinesthathadbeentherebeforespokeabouttheirex-periencesandwhattheyex-pectedthistime.Ibecamemoreexcitedastheytoldtheirstories.Wedrovethe18hoursandstayedover-nightinAshevilleeachwaywhichsplitthedriveup.AsaYoungMarinelancecorporalIwaspartofTeamFalconlearninghowtoythebeautifulFA-18Hornetinsimulatedcombat.MyopiniononaviationiswelleasytosayIloveaviationandtheYoungMarinesandwhenIgottositinthatsimulatoritmademesohappyIjustlovedit.WealsowentpatrollingandIwasthepatrolleaderwhichgavemenewleadershipskillsonhowtoleadYoungMarinesthroughdangeroussituations.IhadasenseofleadershipinsidemetooduringSealops--whenweaccomplishedthemissionitfeltgood.AtArea51whichtaughtmecontrolandfocusIgottoleadmyteamtovictorymultipletimes.DuringtheweekIsawoneofmyfellowJuniorLeadershipSchoolJLSgraduatesandweplantokeepintouch.Thewholeweekgavemeanexperienceandfeelingofinde-pendence.Concentratingonsomechallengingaviationtasks.ESPRITFall201315 ByYMSSgtTylerJ.WardLtAlexanderBonnymanNCIrecentlyattendedtheAdvancedLeadershipSchoolALS.ALSisthebestexperienceIhavehadintheYoungMarinesprogramyet.Itsnotjustanotherschoolitsalife-changingexperiencethatteachesyoualotaboutyourself.ItsmaingoalistoturnthetopseniorYoungMarineleadersintheentirecountryintothebestleaders.Notonlywillyoubeattendingaschoolandlearningbutyouwillmeetpeopleallacrossthecountry.ImetfourYoungMarinesfromCalifornia--andIliveinTennessee.Youwillalsomakesomelife-longfriendsthereaswell.LastlyIhighlyrecommendallyouSe-niorLeadershipSchoolgraduatesthisyearapplyforALSnextyear.Youwontregretit.AlsotoallyouJuniorLeader-shipSchoolgraduatesandbasicYoungMarineslooktothefutureandthinkaboutattendinglateroninyourYoungMarinecareer.SomeAdvicefromaNewA.L.S.GraduateByYMSgtJaredMcLeodCherryPointNCThissummerIwenttotheAviationChallengeMachIIIcampinHuntsvilleALonaSPACEStrip.AtthiscamptheytaughtushowtooperatetheF-18simu-lator.Theygaveusmissionstoy.OneofthemissionsweweregivenwasanaircombatoperationcalledTopGun.Imyselfwasaco-pilotandmypilotandIcameinfrstplaceinourteamwin-ningaTopGunpatch.Overallwecameinsecondplacefortheentirecamp.GoingthroughMachIIIwasanexcit-ingexperience.IenjoyedmeetingnewpeopleandtalkingwithotherYoungMarinesfromotherunits.IwouldrecommendtoallYoungMa-rinestotalktoyourunitcommanderabouttheSPACESprogramparticularlyAviationChallenge.WinningSomeCovetedPatchesatAviationMachIIITeamGunslingerwithaverybigbirdbehindthem.16ESPRITFall2013 ByYMPFCJoshJohnstonBuckleyFieldCOMytriptoCampChestyinBunkieLAwassupposedtobea21-hourbusdrive.Howeverourbusbrokedownsowehadatotalof27hoursonabusAfterarrivingweweregreetedwithasmackofhumidityandmosquitoesWelcometoLouisiana.Themorningsandeveningsatcampwerespentpostingthecolors.Itwasagreatwaytostartthedayandendtheevening.Eachmorningwasspentplay-ingtugowarandeacheveningweearnedthreehoursoffreetimeveryneeded.TheycookedallthefoodbyhandnoMealsReadytoEatandwegottoeatwiththeJuniorLeadershipSchoolkids.Itwasnicetohaverealfood.Someexcitingthingswedidwereshootingairsoftgunsandbowsandar-rows.WeshotpapertargetswiththeairsoftgunsandbighaystackswithredXsspraypaintedonthemweretar-getsforthebowsandarrows.Wehadtheprivilegetodoanobstaclecoursetoowherewehadtohopthroughhulahoopsthenjumpoverawoodenwallandwalkonaredmetalbar.FinallywehadtoruninaCshape.Itwashardforme.Imetalotofpeoplefromaroundthenation.IwassadtoleaveLouisianabutIknewthatIwouldseethemnexttime.SummerACTIVITIESRealFoodRealTargetPracticeandRealMosquitoesWasItaScorpionByYMCplKevinStoneandYMSSgtHannaWithamDesotoFLOurunitwenttothe1stFloridaRegimentandthe3rdDi-visionYoungMarinesencampmentatCampLa-No-CheinPaisleyFL.AlltheYoungMarineshadablast.Therewerealotofactivitiesandeventsthereandyoucouldearnalotofribbonstoo.Assoonaswegottothecampsiteswehadtogetintobath-ingsuitsandgettoswimqualications.AlmostalltheYoungMarinesdidswimqualifyingsotheycouldgointhepoolordowntothelake.WeaskedafewYoungMarinesabouttheirbestexperienc-es.YMPvtJoyfromEmeraldCoastYoungMarineshadablastdownatthelake.Waterskiingwasthemostfunforher--andthelongestshestoodupwasforveminutesShealsowentkayakingcoveringmorethanthreemiles.YMLCplNelsonwenttotherierangewhereheshotthreebulls-eyes.Oneofus--HannahWitham--howeverhadadifferentex-perience.Onthethirdnightthereshewenttolaydowninherbunk.ShewastalkingtoanotherYoungMarinewhosuddenlystartedyellingscorpionNowtheywerebothscreaming.Hannahjumpedoutofherbunkclimbedontoanotherbunkandsatinaball.OurunitcommanderTerryGregoryandanotherYoungMarineranintothecabintoseewhatwasgoingon.Theylookedaroundforthescorpionbutalltheyfoundwasacockroachnotascorpion.Hannastayedupthewholenightwithaashlightlookingforbugsandotherscarythings.Butsheneversawthescorpionagain.BusyIsWhatYouAreatThisSummerCampByYMLCplLareeOsteenOrlandoDevilDogsFLEverysummerYoungMarinesfromalloverourareacometosummerencamp-mentsatCampLa-No-CheinPaisleyFLtohavefunandtomakefriendswiththeotherunits.Therearesomanyactivitiestodo.AlsothevolunteersareBoyScoutswhogetalongwithYoungMarinesverywell.Busyiswhatyouareduringsummercamp.Therearesomanyactivitiestoenjoy.Thereisar-cheryandrierangesoyoucanlearntoshootagunorbowandarrowundersupervisionofcourse.Ifitshotyoucangotothelakeandcanoekayakortakeacruiseonaboatorjustgoswimmingatthepool.Ifyouare14yearsoldorolderyoucangorockclimbingoronanobstaclecourse.YoualsohaveachancetoearnribbonssuchastheCommunicationandSwimmingQuali-cationsribbons.Forcommunityserviceyoucanhelpwiththe8-to-10-year-olds.Youhelpthemlearnwhattheyneedto.Summercampiswhenyougetyourchancetoleadinfrontofalltheotherunits.YoungMarinesislikeabigfamilysoifyouwanttostaybusyandhavefuncometosummercamp.ESPRITFall201317 SummerACTIVITIESAnotherGreatExperienceatCampLa-No-CheYMPFCJadonKilgoreElectricCityFLElectricCityYoungMarineshadbeeneagerforweekstogoontheirdivisionalencampmentinPaisleyFL.WearrivedatCampLa-No-CheonJuly28comingfromourhometownofAnder-sonSC.Afterwearrivedweateandthenhittheracksinminiaturehouse-shapedstructuresonbedscalledcots--whichweresurprisinglycomfort-able.Thestaffwereverycoolandfun.Wetookthenextmorningjusttofgureouthoweverythingworked.AftermorningchoweveryYoungMarinegottopickaneventtoparticipateinuntillunchandafterlunchtheypickedanotherevent.Theseincludedrieryshotgunarcheryswimmingboatingecologynativetrailrockwallclimbingandmore.Theactivitieswereveryfun.Wespentroughlyfourhourseachdaydoingtheactivitywechosetodo.TheYoungMarinesalsotookappropriatesmartsafetyprecautions.Everyonewantstobesafeweusedabuddysystem.Everytimewewentsomewherewehadtohaveabuddy.Therewereallkindsofwildlifealloverthecampsuchasowlslizardsandsnakes.Butasyouknowtimegoesbyfastandthentheencampmentwasalreadyover.Itwasagreattripanditlastedsevendays.WildernessSurvivalandBigFunatCampLa-No-CheByYMPFCSelwynWoodleyandYMLCplKaidanBolleyPalmBeachesFLOurunithadagrandtimethissummerwithotherunitsatCampLa-No-ChefortheThirdDivisionEncampment.Weearnedpersonalachievementser-viceandacademicawardstoo.Thecamphadclassesoneverythingfromshelterbuildingtofrestarting.Oneoftheactivitieshereisboating.Youcantakeacanoehereoryoucansailout.Theareahasagiantlakeanditslotsoffun.Thereisadockoutinthemiddleofthelaketooandeveryonegoesouttotheoatingdockandjumpsofftoswim.WehadachancetoparticipateinQualifedFieldskillslearninghowtosurviveinthewildernesstohelpearnarib-bonneededforpromotion.Wemarchedoutintothewoodsfromourcampsandthensplitintoteamsoffour.Eachteamhadtosetupcampandspendonenightoutinthewoods.Oncewewereatthesiteeachnewteamstartedconstruct-ingtheirsheltersandgatheringfrewood.Whilemostteamsmadebasicsheltersonestoodout.Itwasatipi-basedshelterthatwaswrappedaroundatree.Sadlynotallofuswereabletostartourownfres.Butwedidmanagealargefreinwhichwecookedmeatandpotatoes.Thenextmorningweawokeat600a.m.tookdownthesheltersmarchedbackandhadanicelargebreakfast.Therewerelotsofotherevents.Forinstancelearningtoshootarieatthefringrange.Therewasalsoar-cheryandaC.O.P.E.coursewhichusesatowerthatisrealhighintheair.ItisnamedtheAlpineTower.Andafteralloftheseclasseswewentonatwo-milehiketoanun-knowndestination.Wemarchedandmarchedandmarchedsomemore.Whatwereallydoatthisencamp-mentisbecomeleadersandenjoyourselveswhilewearedoingit.Water-skiingandKnee-boardingTooByYMLCplCarlLaudanLCplBrianR.BuesingYoungMarinesFLAlloftheYoungMarinesthatwenttoour1stFloridaRegi-mentsummercampatCampLa-No-Chehadablastthisyear.ThedivisionincludesYoungMarinesincludeFloridaGeorgiaNorthandSouthCarolinaTennesseeandAlabama.Everymorningwewokeupgotinformationmarchedtothechowhallanddidreveille.Thenwewenttobreakfast.AtthecamptherewereeventswhichconsistedofbikingswimmingboatingnaturehikesshootingarcheryrockwallclimbingandaC.O.P.E.courseandalpinetower.Afterdinnerwegotfreetime.Duringfreetimewegottoswimwatchamovieorplaybasketball.Ifyouhadanadultwithyouyoucouldalsogofshing.Wewereabletogotoalakewheretherewascanoeingkayakingandsail-boating.Themostentertainingthingtodoatthelakewaswaterskiingandknee-boarding.Youwereabletolearnhowtoskiandknee-board.Whenyouwereabletogoonthespeedboatitwasalotmoreentertaining.Whencampwasdoneweallgotnewt-shirtsthatsaid1stFloridaRegimentYoungMarines.18ESPRITFall2013 LeadershipWisdomFromaLeadershipDescentByJohnathonReedTrainingOfcerTornadoAlleyKSThispastJulythe3rdColoradoHighPlainsBattalionwentonahikecalledPikesPeakLeadershipDescent.Startingfrom14110feetupwedescendeddown.Thehiketestedeveryoneofus--forsomeitwasmorementalthanphysical.WemotivatedeachotherwithcadencesandbuilteachotherupwithmotivationalspeechesalthoughwewerefromdifferentunitswebecametheDescentDetachment.OncewehitBarrCamptheadultstaffhadleadershipdiscussionswithusandalsotaughtusleadership.Arecurringthemewasinfuences.Inordertobecomeagreatleaderyouhavetohavepositivelifeinuences.Theselifeinuencesarepeoplesuchasyourfriends.Thiswaseye-openingforme.UnitCommanderWeberandhisTrainingOfcerMr.ReedsimplystatedShowmeyourfriendsandIllshowyouyourfuture.DoyourfriendsoftenmakepoordecisionsorgooddecisionsIfyouarearoundpeoplewhodonotcareaboutschoolsoonyouwillnotcareforschooleither.Ifyouwanttobesuccessfulinlifeyouhavetondpeoplewhowillpushandhelpyougetthere.Thistranslatedwellwhenwewerehiking.Wegottoapointwhereeverysin-gleoneofuswantedtogetdownPikesPeakmorethanwewantedtotakeabreakfromhiking.Sowepushedeachotherandmotivatedeachothertokeephiking.Weconqueredthemountainbecauseweallhadthesamegoal.SummerACTIVITIESHikingatthePikesPeakLeadershipDescent.RestingsomewhereonthewaydownfromPikesPeak.AnotherGruelingFrighteningandAwesomeWeekatParrisIslandByYMCplRandallTownsendandYMCplAlexandarAverhartPalmBeachesFLForagruelingvedaysthissummerYoungMarinesfromthePalmBeachesunittougheditoutandheldittogetheratMarineCorpsRecruitDepotParrisIsland.Ourunitreallyenjoysthistripandmanyofuslookforwardtoiteveryyear.WhentheYoungMarinesarrivedthisyeartheyweremetbythefroggyvoiceandhorriblestareoftheirdrillsergeantfortheweekUnitedStatesMarineCorpsDrillInstructorSgt.Miller.Allweekhewouldcorrecttheireverymistakenomatterhowbigorsmall.TheyperformedteambuildingexerciseswhilealsogettingatasteofwhatitisliketobeaU.S.Marinerecruit.Thegoalwastostrengthenourunitsmindandbodyandpromoteteamwork.Theywerewokenupearlyeachdayandpushedtotheirlimitsbothmentallyandphysically.AttheLeadershipCoursetheYoungMarinesweresplitintotwogroupsandtaskedwithcompletingava-rietyofobstaclesintwentyminutes.Forsomethehardestpartofthetripwasmaster-ingtherappeltower--somewereafraidofheightsandneededalittleextraencouragement.Theyalsopartici-patedinaleadershipreadinesscourseriesimulationandtheOcourse.AttheendoftheweektheYoungMarineswerealsoabletowatchtheceremonialgraduationoftheactualU.S.MarinerecruitsastheybecameUnitedStatesMa-rines.EventhoughthenexttriptoParrisIslandisawholeyearawayeveryoneisalreadyveryexcitedaboutgo-ingagain.ESPRITFall201319 SummerACTIVITIESPlatoonLoyaltyattheRegimentalLeadershipAcademyByYMLCplSaraLaxsonWesternNewYorkNYEarlyinJulyIhadtheopportunitytogototheTennesseeRegimentalLeadershipAcademy.Itwasablastbutalsodef-nitelythebiggestchallengeIfacedasaYoungMarine.Afterwesettledinwewereputintoplatoons.IwasplacedinJuniorLeadershipSchoolJLS2ndPlatoonandwewereinstructedtogettoknowourplatoonmembers.WhatIhadhopedtokeepabigsecretbecameveryobvi-oustomembersofmyplatoon.Wewerecommandedtogiveeveryonesnamerankandwheretheywerefrom--andIdidhorribly.Laterthatdayaftereveningchowwewereputintosquadsandwehadtotaketurnsdrillingeveryone.EveryonenoticedsomethingwaswrongIwasntdoingthecommandsright.SoIbrokedownandtoldthesquadthatIhaveahearingloss.Thatwaspassedontomyplatoonsergeant.Hethenmadesuremywholeplatoonwasawareofmyhearinglossandthatifandwhentheycalledcadencetheyneededtospeakup.TherestoftheweekwasmuchbetterbecausewheneverwewouldmarchsomewheretheydaskmebeforehandifIcouldhear.JLSreallymademeregretnotwearingmyhear-ingaidsbutImsothankfulforallthesupportmyplatoongavemethroughouttheweek.Theytrulyexhibitedthetraitsofteamworkandleadership.StandingStillWasDifcultatHisFirstUnitOvernightByYMPvtWilliamHarrisonShenandoahValleyVAThedaythatmyschoolgotoutforsummerImetupwithmyunittogototheDivisionIIFieldmeetinMaryland.IhadjustjoinedtheYoungMarinesinMarchsothefeldmeetwasmyfrstovernightexperiencewithmyunit.IwasexcitedbutalsoalittlenervousbecauseIdidnotknowexactlywhattoexpect.ButonceIgotthereitwasreallyfun.Thetwonightswentbypret-tyquicklybecausetherewasalwayssomethingtodo.WecompetedinabunchofdifferenteventsagainstunitsfromalloverDi-visionII.Somewerephysicalchalleng-esandsomewerementalchallengesbuttheyallrequiredteamwork.Thechal-lengesIparticipatedinwereTugOWarandsackraces.Wealsogotupearlytodrillonourlastday.Thehardestpartoftheweekendwashowlongwehadtostandatattentionsome-times.AsIcontinueinYoungMarinesIamsureIwillgetusedtoandbetteratstandingattention.SinceIamsomewhatnewtoYoungMarinesmyfavoritepartoftheweekendwasgettingtoknowothersbetterinmyunit.IalsolikedmeetingotherYoungMarinesfromalloverDivisionIIandlisteningtospeakersattheeventwhowereveryinspirational.IcannotwaittodoitagainnextyearStandingStillWasDifcultStandingStillWasDifcult20ESPRITFall2013 SummerACTIVITIESYoungestinHerUnittoGotoJuniorLeadershipSchoolByYMCplMicennaBrooksEtowahValleyCAOnJuly6Iwasreadytotakethechal-lengeofgoingtomyrstJuniorLeader-shipSchoolJLS.AtrstIwasintimi-datedbecauseIwasgoingoutofmycomfortzone.FourYoungMarinesfrommyunitweretakingaroadtripwithourexecutiveofcerandourunitcom-mander.Iwastheyoungestandalsotheonlyfemalegoing.WhenIgotthereitwasnotlonguntilImadeatonoffriends.OfcoursetherewereclassesandPFT.BecauseofthehardworkoftheYoungMarinestaffthisJLSwasasuccess.Everyonegradu-atedandweevenhadtimetogotothepooldoteambuildingmakeaguidonandinventditties---theYoungMarinesergeantmajorwouldpickwhosewasthebestandthewinnerwouldgettoeatchowrstalldaythenextday.Myplatoonwonthatcontesttwice.Ineachplatoontherewereanaverageof30YoungMarines.Atleasttwotimesaweekwewoulddoamoralecheckandeachtimeitwasdifferent.OnMondayweallstartedtogetphysicallytiredthenonWednesdayitgotworseandwestartedtogetmentallytired.Onourlastdaytherewewereinformationforanhour-longgraduationceremonybutithelpedusbuildupourstamina.WehadagoodtimeatJLS.AtfrstIwasintimidatedbecauseIwasgoingoutomycomortzone.AWell-EarnedAcademyExperienceatQuanticoByYMPFCAnnaBoyetteEnoRiverNCRecentlyIattendedthe2013SummerLeadershipandCharacterDevelop-mentAcademySLCDAatQuanticoVirginia.SLCDAisabrandnewweek-longsummercampwherestudentsfromaroundthecountrychosenfortheiroutstandingacademicsleadershiprolesinthecommunitytopphysicalconditionandgoodmoralcharactergathertogethertospendaweekwithU.S.Marinereserviststolearnaboutleadershipcharacterdevelopmenteth-icsteamworkandtheMarineCorps.Wedidmanyexcitingthingsinclud-inglearningandpracticingdrilltak-ingmodiedPhysicalFitnessTestsandrunningthroughreal-lifescenarioswithactorsplayinginjuredandendangeredcivilians.WealsovisitednearbysitesinWashingtonDCincludingtheU.S.CapitoltheNationalHolocaustMu-seumandHMX-1theMarineCorpshelicopterreservedfortransportingthePresident.WegottoseetheSunsetPa-radeattheIwoJimaMemorialwiththeCommandantsOwnDrumandBugleCorps.BackatQuanticoCemeterywespenthalfadaydoingaserviceproject.ManywonderfulspeakerscametotalktousincludingtheCommandantoftheMarineCorpsaMedalofHonorRecipientandre-servistMarinesbothretiredandactivedutywhoareallcontinuallybeingleadersintheircommunities.MyweekatSLCDAwasoneofthebestweeksofmylife.Ithoroughlyenjoyedspendingtimewiththeotherstudentsinmysquadandoursquadcommandersatchowtimetoo.Eventhoughthiswasinnowayare-cruitingthingitdenitelystrengthenedmyyearningtobecomeaUnitedStatesMarine.ESPRITFall201321 YOUNGMARINESHONORINGTHROUGHOUTTHEYEARHVETERANSHThreeRiversCTThispastJulymembersoftheThreeRiversYoungMarinesandMarineCorpsLeagueThamesRiverDetachmentassistedinlayingawreathatthetombofSamuelHuntington.AlthoughMr.HuntingtonwasnotamilitaryveteranhisservicetoourcountryduringthetimeoftheAmericanRevolutiondeservesaplaceofhonor.Mr.HuntingtonservedasgovernorofCon-necticutandwasthesecondpresidentoftheContinentalCongresstheelectedbodythatsignedtheDeclarationofIndependenceandpassedlawsuntilourConstitutionwaswrit-ten.TraditionallyawreathislaidatthegravesiteofeverydeceasedpresidentbeginningwithGeorgeWashingtononoraroundtheirbirthday.SeveralyearsagotheCityofNor-wichCTthenalrestingplaceofMr.Hun-tingtonbeganlayingawreathathisgravesiteinthatsametradition.DoYouKnowWhoSamuelHuntingtonWasSamuelHuntingtonsecondpresidentoftheContinentalCongressSpringingIntoActionforKoreanWarVeteransByYMCplRichardPopeSeafordDEIlovetheYoungMarinesprogram.MyproudestmomentwasonJuly27thofthisyearatthe60thanniversaryoftheArmisticethatendedtheKoreanWar.OurgroupincludedeightkidsfromtheSeafordYoungMarinesandthreeYoungMarinesfromtwootherunitsinourbat-talion.Attheeventwewereassignedtoawaterstationrightnexttothedignitarysection.Weworkedinthehotweatherdoingeverythingwecouldtoensurenoneoftheattendeeswasthirsty.Unfortunatelytherewereafewelderlypeoplepassingoutduetotheheat.TheYoungMarinesrepresentingDelawareBattalionsprangintoaction.OneKoreanWarveteranpassedoutandYMCplMayeldandIweretherstonthescenerenderingrstaid.Theoth-erYoungMarinesallhelpedatkeepingthecrowdbackandoutofthewayandthenhelpedtogetthefallenmanintoawheelchair.AlltheYoungMarinesinourgroupeitherhelpedmedicsorhandedoutwatertotryandstopmoreheatcasualtiesfromhappening.Look-ingbackIcanhonestlysaythatwasthebestshowingoftheYoungMarinevaluesIhaveeverseen.AttheclosingoftheceremonyMr.Tul-leyoneofourregisteredadultspointedoutthreeveteransinwheelchairstryingtogettothebuses.WepushedthemtothebusesandweallagreedtheyhadawesomestoriesHistoryThroughtheEyesofaKoreanWarVeteranByTammyWilliamsRegisteredAdultVolunteerJeffersonParishSheriffsOfceJPSONo.2LAThecolorguardforourunittheJeffersonParishSheriffsOfceYoungMarineswasgiventhehonorthissummerofpresentingcolorstoaMarineCorpsveteran.Thecolorguardconsistedofasix-manteamwithfouragsandtwories.Followingourpresent-ingthecolorsandsingingtheYoungMa-rinesHymnthecolorguardpresentationconcludedwithaYoungMarinepersonallypresentingaMarineCorpsagtothevet-eranMr.CarrollT.LeBlanc.Theeventwasacelebrationofthisvet-erans80thbirthday.Mr.LeBlancservedintheMarineCorpsasasergeantduringtheKoreanWar.Wehadtheopportunitytotalkwithhimandlearnsomeofhisexperiences.Thereweresomanyemotionswefelt--honoredhappyandattimessad.ButIthinkhonoredwasthebestfeelingofall.EventslikethisareexcitingforourYoungMarinesandatthesametimeeducational.Tohavetheop-portunitytolearnournationshis-torythroughtheeyesandheartofoneofourveteransistrulyanhonor.TheJPSOcolorguardfrontandcenter.22ESPRITFall2013 AHeartWarmingTributeatFortLoganByYMPFCNicholasPelzBuckleyFieldCOPerformingthehonorguardatFortLo-ganCemeteryhasbeenapointofinter-estformeeversinceIenteredtheYoungMarinesprogram.ThisyearIhadthechancetoparticipate.Honorguardisaveryseriouseventanditisalsoveryheartmoving.TheretohonortheoneswhoservedourcountryinadditiontothefamiliesofthosewhohadpassedwerethePa-triotGuardRidersBuffaloSoldierMileHighChapterMotorcycleClubandmyfellowYoungMarinesandI.Beforetheceremonystartedwewereeachassignedawreatheachrepresent-ingadifferentbranch.Attheceremonytherewereveplaqueseachonerep-resentingoneofthebranches.EachofthefourYoungMarinesbeforemetookaturntakingtheirwreathandplacingitinfrontofeachoftheplaquesthensalut-ingthemandsilentlymarchingbacktoallowthenextYoungMarinetogo.Afterallveofthewreathswereplacedthenameofeachpersonbeinghonoredonthatdaywascalledandabellwasrungforeverypersonthatwascalled.AfterthelastnamehadbeencalledtheAllVeteransPatriotGuardRiemenpre-paredforthe21-gunsalutetookaimattheskyandred.TheceremonywasveryheartwarmingandIamproudandhonoredtohaveparticipatedintheevent.HHHHHHHHHHDownMemoryLanewithWorldWarIIVeteransStacyAndersonRegisteredAdultVolunteerFoothillsCOFromclassiccarsandplanestoBobHopeandMarilynMonroetheWorldWarIIEraBallinBoulderCOhaditall.ThiswasthethirdyearthattheFoothillsYoungMarinesperformedanhonorguardforthisevent.Everyonewhoattendedtheballwastrans-portedbacktothe1940sthroughtheirouttsmusicdancingandperformances.Imsureyoucanimaginehowlouditwas.EveryonewasexcitedfortheshowbutassoonasourYoungMarinessteppedouttopresentthecolorsthecrowdfellsilent.ItwasatouchingmomenttoseeWorldWarIIveteranswatchingasthecolorsergeantcalledoutthecom-mands.Youcouldseetheirapprovalwrittenontheirfaces.Thenextdaywereceivedthank-younotesaswellaspicturesfrommultiplemediaoutlets.TheFoothillscolorguardattheWorldWarIIEraBall.AFlagforaFallenFamilyMemberByYMLCplJudeSmithCapitalCityNCMyfellowYoungMarinesandIhadtheprivilegeofattendingaceremonytopresentafoldedAmeri-canagtoafamilywholostamemberinTuzIraq.HisnamewasSSGEricSteffeneyandhelosthislifeonFeb-ruary232005.Whatwedidattheceremonywastounfoldapackagedagandthenrefolditinaceremonialmanner.Thenwepasseditslowlyandrespectfullyfromthelowestranktothehighestrank.ThenYMSgtMajCobbpassedtheagcarefullytothemaninchargeandhepresentedittothefamilyandtheyraisedtheagontheagpolethattheyhadplanted.Iwassohonoredtodothisceremonyforourfallenhero.MarchingBeneaththeWashingtonMonumentByYMSgtDerickRevelsFortMeadeMDTheYoungMarinesofFortMeadeledbyUnitCommanderCherylNorrisgainedcommunityservicehourswhilemarch-ingintheMemorialDayParadeinWashingtonD.C.AsanannualeventforFortMeadeandYoungMarinesunitsallovertheEastCoastunitsagainconvergedonWashingtontomarchintheparade.ThiseventseenalloverthenationgivestheYoungMarinesamuch-neededbreakfromtheirnormalroutineandourunithasparticipatedinitsince2008.WhenwearrivedbyMetrotrainattheNationalMallwheretheparadestarteditwasearly.Astheheatstartedtopickupwestartedtosweatheavilyinourserviceuniforms.Butashotastheeventwasitwasstillfunforthosewhoattended.WhenthemarchingstartedourYoungMarineswerepostedwheretheywereneeded.Fromsignstofeatheragswewerethere.Wemarchedathree-mileroutethroughthemiddleofWash-ingtonpassingtheWashingtonMonumentwithamomentofsilencetwo-thirdsofthewaythrough.AftertheparadeYoungMarineswereabletominglewithotherunitsmakingnewfriendsduringthetime.ESPRITFall201323 ProudtoBelongtoaBunchofToughEggsByYMLCplAlexanderMaxwellOrlandoDevilDogsFLWeallknowthatVeteransDaycommemoratesthetimeswhensoldiersputtheirlifeonthelinetomakesureAmericaiskeptsafethoughnotmanypeopleunderstandthetruemean-ingofVeteransDay.ThisyeartheOrlandoDevilDogsYoungMarineswasrecog-nizedforparticipatingintheVeteransDayParade.AfterwardsagroupofretiredmilitarymenandwomenwhoworkwiththeSeaCadetstheU.S.CoastGuardsprimaryyouth-servingvolunteerprogramalsopresentedbothmeandYMPFCGala-gherwithagiftcardforWal-Mart.Ididmybesttobemodestaboutreceivingthegift.TheOrlandoDevilDogshasalsobeenselectedUnitoftheYearbythenationalofceoftheYoungMarines.Wehavecompleted48hoursayearofDrugDemandReductionDDRwhichhelpsmotivateyoungchildrentomaintainandliveahealthydrug-freelife.IthasbeensaidthatourunitisatougheggtocrackListeningtoTheirStoriesWhileTheyAreStillWithUsByYMCplLukeSmithCampPendletonCAOnMemorialDayCampPendletonYoungMarinesjoinedtheSolanaBeachVFWNo.5431inhonoringandremember-ingourveterans.WeprovidedacolorguardandthenlistenedtoboththemayorandguestspeakerDavidJacintowhotoldusabouthistoricaleventsthatthemembersoftheVFWbranchparticipatedin.Itwashardtowatchtheveteransastheyre-memberedtheirfallencomradeswithtears.Iespeciallyenjoyedspeakingwiththeveteransafterwardsandhearingtheirstoriesofbattle.Ithinkitisvaluabletolistenandrememberandre-tellthestoriesbecauseitwontbelongbeforeallofthemwiththeirrst-handaccountswillbegone.IappreciatethetimethatIwasabletospendwiththemthatmorningandIwontforgetthesacricesthatweremadeformeandmycountry.AWorldWarIIStyleEncampmentandaGuestWhoWasReallyThereShenandoahValleyVAThisAugustShenandoahValleyYoungMarinesparticipatedinCampBoondocksanencampmentthatthisyearbroughtustogetherwithtwoothernearbyunitsinNorthernVirginiaManassasandBattleeldYoungMarines.ThecampwassetupasaWorldWarII-stylereenactmentcompletewithperiodtruckstentsandgear.CampBoondockslastedvedaysandalthoughtheyhadrainshowersonthreeofthosedaysthatdidntstopthemfromhavingagreattimeandengaginginsomegreattraining.TheyalsohadtheprivilegeoflearningfromanumberofspecialguestsincludingMr.BeverlySayardsaveteranoftheD-DayinvasioninWorldWarII.CaptainNeilConnerUSMCretwasveryactiveintheentireencampmentleadingeldstud-ieswiththeYoungMarinesandcoordinatingthereenactmentexperiencethattheysharedwithveterans.SuchinteractionswithveteransarepricelessexperiencesforourYoungMarines.RaisingarealbigtentatCampBoondocks.D-DayveteranMr.BeverlySayardsspeakstoShenandoahValleyYoungMarines.LivinglikeaWorldWarIIsoldieratCampBoondocks.YOUNGMARINESHONORINGVETERANSTHROUGHOUTTHEYEAR24ESPRITFall2013 MollyMarineGetsSomeOverdueRecognitionByMarcDeFrancisEspritEditorFromtimetotimeaseditorofEspritIhavetheprivilegeofobservingspecialYoungMarineevents.ThissummerIwasaguestattheNationalMuseumoftheMarineCorpsforaneventhonoringwomenMarines.DidyouknowthatwomenintheUnit-edStateshavebeensigningupfortheMarineCorpssince1918ManyAmeri-cansremainunawareofthelonghistoryofwomeninmilitaryservicetoAmerica.AndthatisonereasonwhytheWomenMarinesAsso-ciationandtheMarineCorpsHeritageFoundationdecidedthattheentrancetotheNa-tionalMuseumoftheMarineCorpsinQuanticoVAjustsouthofWashingtonDCshouldfeatureabronzestatueofMollyMarine.TheMollynicknamewascoinedduringWorldWarIIandisalsothenameofanawardgiventothetop-rankingwomanofeveryfemalerecruitplatoonatParrisIslandSouthCarolina.LastspringwhenitbecameclearthatadditionalfundingwouldbeneededtoerectthestatuetheboardofdirectorsoftheYoungMarinesprogramelectedtojointhetwoorganizationsintheeffortbymakingaverygenerouscontribu-tion.InJulythefruitofalltheseeffortswasondisplayatthepublicdedicationofthemuseumsMollyMarinestatuewhichreplicatesanoriginalerectedinNewOrleansbackin1943toencouragewomentojointheservicesinthewareffort.AsecondcopystandsatthePar-risIslandtheonlyrecruitdepotwherewomenjoiningtheMarineCorpsattendbootcamp.ThenewstatuewillservealargerpurposetorepresenttothewholepublicthecourageanddedicationofwomenMarinespastpresentandfuture.ThispastJulyYoungMarinesfromseveralunitsintheregionwereamongthe250peoplepresentattheopeningceremonies.TheyheardmovingstatementsfromMarineCorpsdignitar-iesincludingRobertBlackmanJr.aretiredlieutenantgeneralwhoisalsopresidentoftheMarineCorpsHeritageFoundation.SpeakingjustafteracolorguardoffourwomenMarinespresentedthecolorsMr.Blackmanrecalledhowinthe1970swhilehewasstationedinSanDiegohissuperiorofcerhadtoldhimhedberedifawomanwereallowedtoserveinhiscolorguard.Hedescribedtheremarkableseriesofchangesthathavetakenplaceoverthelasthalf-cen-turytothepointwheretodaywomenMarinescanservesidebyside.Listen-ingintheaudiencewerewomenwhohadservedintheMarines60yearsagoaswellasmanycurrentlyserving.NoonegotmoreapplausethanMajorGeneralAngelaSalinasthesixthfemaletoreachthegeneralofcerrankintheCorps.Dr.BettyMoseleyBrownasso-ciatedirectoroftheVeteranAdministra-tionsCenterforWomenandpresidentoftheWMAalsobroughtcheersfromthecrowdwhensheletoutaheartyoohrah.Wearehonoredwearethrilledbecausewehaveallearnedtheeagleglobeandanchorshesaid.WeareallMarines.YOUNGMARINESHONORINGWOMENMARINESYMOYDakotaRichterwithMajGenSalinas.YoungMarinesjoinDr.BettyMoseleyBrowninaheartyOoh-rahCherylBadorrekPhotographyESPRITFall201325PhotocourtesyWomenMarinesAssociation ReconnectingwithOneoftheFirstYoungMarinesByAliceReedUnitCommanderOPSOLATheOPSOYoungMarineswerere-centlyvisitedbyoneoftheveryrstYoungMarinesamannamedSamuelK.Beamon.AsweallknowtheYoungMarinesprogramwasestablishedin1959inWaterburyCT.Afternish-ingintheYoungMarinesMr.BeamonenlistedintheMarineCorpsinApril1965onadelayed-entryprogram.HewentonactivedutyinAugust1965andcompleted19monthsinVietnamservingasahelicoptercrewchief.AfterbeinghonorablydischargedfromthemilitaryserviceheworkedatPrattandWhitneyaircraftforayear.HethenjoinedthepolicedepartmentinWater-buryCTandrosethroughtherankstotheleveloflieutenant.Forthelast12yearshehasbeeninchargeofthejuveniledivision.Heretiredafter28yearsofservice.HestilllivesinWaterburywherehewasbornandraisedandwherehejoinedtheveryrstYoungMarinesunit.Mr.Beamonacceptsat-shirtfromOPSO.ByYMPFCFranchescaReyesBuckleyFieldCOThissummerIlearnedhowimportantitistoconserveournaturalresourcesandprotectourwildlife.IearnedtheSenatorJ.H.ChaffeeConservationRib-bonwithmyunitafterspendingtimeatthePlainsConservationCenterandIalsodidotheractivitieselsewherethathelpedmebetterunderstandconserva-tion.Itwasfunbuildingabirdfeeder--IspreadpeanutbutterandbirdseedallovermineandthebirdsreallyloveditInmyrockgardenIwasabletocol-lecttworocksonebasaltandoneve-sicularbasaltthatcamefrom14000-feetunderground.Watchingmyseedsgrowwasalsocool.IwasabletosharemyexperienceatRieFallsStateParkinmyessay.Butthemostexcitingex-periencewasteachingchildrenatmychurchssummerlunchprogramaboutconservation.Ishowedthemmycon-servationbinderrockgardenandleavesandhadthemplantpeasinpa-percups.Oneofthelittleboyswassoexcitedwhenhetoldmelaterthathispeahadgrownintoaplantandhehadreplanteditoutside.Itmademehappythatheandtheotherkidswerestilldo-ingtheproject.IfeelthatImmakingadifferenceinmycommunityastohowpeoplearelookingatnaturalresourcesandwild-life.Mymessagetothestudentsistoprotectplantsanimalsandourplanet.MyfamilyandIrecentlywentcamp-ingandbecauseoftheconservationunitIlookeddeeperatmysurround-ingsandatwildlifeinRockyMountainNationalPark.MyfamilyandIarenowmoreawareofhowouractionsaffectourenviron-ment.Wearetryinghardertodoourparttoreducereuseandrecycletoprotectourbeautifulplanet.EarningHerConservationRibbonandSharingHerKnowledgeByYMSgtMajBethAbzunSouthlandCAOnvariousoccasionsIhavecomeacrossliteraturethatnarratesoneofthemostintriguingstoriesofalltimethehistoryofourgreatnation.Ioftenponderonthegreatamountoftimethatwasinvestedintoformingthispower-fulnationandthededicationthatde-velopedourConstitutionwhichwouldgoverntheentirenationforyearstocome.Ihadtoacknowledgethatwhileallbeginningsareroughtheyhavetheabilitytoproduceapleasantoutcome.DuringtheearlymonthsofthisyearIreceivedareplyfromMr.OkeefeEx-celsiorHighDesertYoungMarinesEx-ecutiveOfcerinwhichheconrmedtheformationofanewYoungMarinesunitinVictorvilleCA.Heextendedaninvitationtometoattendoneoftheunitsdrills.AfterconsultingmyunitcommanderIwasabletoaccepttheinvitation.Thesummerbroughtachal-lengetothenewunitforitsstaffhadtostartfromzero.HoweverdespitetheobstaclesthatcamefromtimetotimeandwithGodshelptheadultstaffwereabletowitnesstherstgraduat-ingclassoftheExcelsiorHighDesertYoungMarinesinJuly.ExcitementwaspresentinboththeYoungMarinesandtheirrelatives.Al-thoughtheunitadultstaffexpressedtheirexhaustiontheyrejoicedinknowingthattheirrstrecruitclasshadmadeatransitiontothetitleofYoungMarines.EditorsnoteYMSgtMajAbzunwastheDivision6YoungMarineoftheYearfor2011-2012.VictorvilleBringingaNewUnittoLifeBethAbzunatlecternholdstheattentionofanewunitsnewestgrads.26ESPRITFall2013 ByYMLCplShaneFowlerEnoRiverNCInJunefourYoungMarinesfrommyunitandIheadeddowntoParrisIslandSCforaweekofMarineCorpsexperi-ences.Whenwefrstarrivedweweregreetedbyourdrillinstructorwhode-mandedthatwescreamloudbeforewecouldenterthesquadbay.OnceinthesquadbayweweremetbyotherYoungMarinesfromtheMiltonLewisandDeSotounits.ThroughouttheweekwewerePTdanddrilled.Itwasallreallytoughbutitdefnitelywasntashardastherealrecruitsaretrained.InadditiontothedrillingandPTwegottodootheractivitiesthatrecruitsdo.Wehadthechancetodotheob-staclecourseandrappeltower.Wegotsmallbriefngsonthingssuchastheconfdencecourseandthetrainingpool.Itwasfunbutchallengingandsometimespainful.MyfavoriteofthesethingswaseithertheobstaclecourseortheISMTtheIndoorSimulatedMarks-manshipTrainer.AttheendoftheweekwegottowatchtheMarinesfamilydaymotivationalrunthemorningcolorsceremonyandaUSMCrecruitgraduation.Thecoolestpartofallthatwasseeingtheprecisioninhowtheydidthemovementsandhowdisciplinedtheyallwere.ItwasprettycooltoknowthatIwatchedthecountrysnewestMarinesbeingmade.WedidsomefunchallengingthingsandIthinkattheendoftheweekalltheYoungMarinesgrewinknowledgeandleadershiptraits.ChallengingPainfulandFunByYMCplJoelAbzunSouthlandCAIhadtheopportunitytoparticipateintheannualTeenCom-munityEmergencyResponseTeamCERTCamptrainingwhichiscosponsoredbythepolicedepartmentandYoungMarineshere.SinceIwasthesmallestparticipantinthegroupIbegantothinkthatIwouldsoonhavetroublekeepingupwiththemucholderparticipants.HoweverIwassoonabletobecomepartofasquadthatnotonlyhelpedmethroughoutthecampbutalsomotivatedmetostrivetocontinuedoingmybest.ItwasduringthesquadcompetitionthatImanagedtotwistmyankleandIimmediatelythoughtIwasdonefor.HoweverwhenmyteammatessawthatIhadfallentheoldestmemberpickedmeupandplacedmeonhisbackwhileanothermem-bergavehimsupportwhenhewasrunning.ItwashardworkandmysquadreceivedtheHonorSquadAwardfordemon-stratingexcellentabilities.Thispersonalstoryremind-edmeoftheanecdotesoftheNativeAmericanCrazyHorse.Ireadthatheusedtogathertheyoungonesandtaughtthemtheskillofteam-workbyhavingthemcarryeachotherfortwomiles.Thepurposeofthisactivitycon-tributedtothebondingamongthemprovingthatalloftheyoungwereconsideredbrothersandnoonewastobeleftbehind.IbelievethatthisiswhatkeepsusAmericansstrongtodayunitywithoneanother.ThisiswhatitmeanstobeanAmeri-canandaYoungMarine.BuildingBondsandRescueSkillsJoelAbzunbeingcarriedbyanotherteenintraining.ByYMGySgtLucasJ.WardMidwestCentralILThispastsummerasmalldetailfromtheMidwestCentralYoungMarineswasgivenanoutstandingopportu-nity.WewereaskedtosendourcolorguardtoacompetitionwhichwaspartoftheMarineCorpsLeaguesannualstateconvention.OneofourfellowIl-linoisunitstheChicagosOwnYoungMarinesalsocompeted.Theyprovid-edanoutstandingshowandsodidwe.Weendedupwinningbyasmallmar-ginbutthemostimportantthingwasthatweweretheretoshowourfound-erstheMarineCorpsLeaguethatweareappreciativeoftheirsupportandthatwearelivinguptowhattheymadeustobe.Thistripalsoprovidedagreatbond-ingopportunityforthesevenYoungMarinesincludingmefrommyunitthatattended.Wegottheopportunitytolearnalotabouteachotherandre-allygettoknoweachotherbetter.Wealsogotthechancetogetoutandshowtheworldwhoweareandwhatwestandfor.HavingbeenintheprogramforoverfveyearsnowIamcertainthatthishasbeenoneofthemostinspiringeventsIhavebeentothusfar.Whenwecom-pletedourroutineveteranscameuptouswithtearsbrimmingtheireyestell-ingusjusthowproudtheyweretoseeusoutthereandhowmuchtheyappre-ciatedus.Theyweresohappywithourperfor-mancetheyinvitedustoattendtheirawardsdinnerthateveningandpresentthecolorsonceagain.Needlesstosaywecouldntsayno.WeweretreatedlikemoviestarsAswestoodwaitingfortheceremonytobeginwewereapproachedmanytimesbymemberswhowantedtogetpicturesofusorwithus.ItwasatotallyamazingexperienceandithasinspiredmeallthemoretobethebestYoungMarineIcanbeandIhopeithasdonethesametomycounterparts.TreatedLikeMovieStarsDuringthecompetitiontripMidwestCentralYoungMarinesalsometstatuesofPresidentLincolnandhisfamily.ESPRITFall201327 UNITSONTHEGOUNITSONTHEGOUNITSONTHEGOByYMPvtLoressahJLeeClemonsShenandoahValleyVATonyDannerwasbornwithDownSyndrome30yearsago.TonycouldneverservebutheisaMarineatheart.TonygraduatedfromLoudonValleyHighSchoolinJuneof2002.TodayheworksatMcDonaldsinPurcevilleVAandhasparticipatedintheSpecialOlympicsandwonseveralmedals.TonysuncleSergeantRobertTuckerservedintheCorpsincludinginViet-namin1969-70.SgtTuckerturnedtotheretiredMarinesoftheMarineCorpsLeaguesEasternPanhandleDetach-ment1143inMartinsburgWVtomakeTonysbirthdayextraspecial.HisrequestwastohaveaMarineindressbluesattendhisbirthdaycelebration.TonyreceivedaspecialpresentbyhavingthreeMarinesattendhisbirth-daycelebrationindressblues.Inaddi-tionIattendedtoowearingmydressgreens.AlthoughTonydoesnotwearaMa-rineCorpsregulationuniformhehastheheartofaMarineandoftenwearswhatheconsidershisuniform.CelebratingWithaMarine-at-HeartANewUnitRocketingAheadOneofthenewestunitsinthecountrySpeedwayYoungMarinesINreportsthattheirspiritsarehighastheyreachtheendofaneventfulyear.AlreadytheyhavebecomeoneofthelargestunitsinIndianaandhaveaccumulated1900hoursofcommunityservice.Theyalsotookonatownpa-radebythemselvescompetedinaBat-talionDrillCom-petitionandraisedover7000tocov-ertheirneeds.ThispastSeptem-bertheyassistedinastatewideVeter-ansRemembranceDayeventthatgar-neredthemfront-pageattentionintheirlocalnewspaperforthethirdconsecutivemonth.FireWaterandShelterSummerisagreattimeforshelterbuildingen-campmentsandthatisexactlywhattheFoot-hillsYoungMarinesCOundertookthissummerdespitetheunpredictableColoradoweather.TheunitalsolearnedthatbeingaremanisharderthanyoumightthinkafterspendingadaywiththeArvadaFireDepartment.Theylearnedhowtouseareextinguisherwhilewearingheavyprotectivegearhowtondtheirwaythroughobstaclesinthedarkhowtodosearchandrescueinaburninghouseandhowtouseteamworktooperateafull-powerrehose.Thatlastjobwashardworkbutalsoalotoffun.Thereghterssaidtheywereveryim-pressedwiththeleadershipskillstheyobservedandenjoyedspendingthedayteachingsuchwell-disciplinedkidsthatwantedtolearn.FoothillsGrapplingwithfrefghtingpower.SpeedwayGettinginshapeast.GettingMuddyTheFortWorthYoungMarinesTXproudlysupportedCooksChildrensHospitallastMayofthisyearbyassistingasstaffintheDirtyScurryMudRuntoraisefundsforthehospital.Theyworkedalldaytosetupandbreakdowneachofthe12obstaclesaswellasguidingandhelpingchildrenthroughthem.FORTWORTHYOUNGMARINESH28ESPRITFall2013 DrugAbuseAnotherStarExtinguishedByJosephBlesYoungMarinesInspectorGeneralOnceagainwehavelearnedofanindividualintheentertainmentindustrylosinghislifetodrugs.CoryMonteithwhostarredintheroleofFinnHudsononthehighlypopularshowGleewasbelievedtohaveevengreaterthingsaheadofhimasanactorandmusician---untilheoverdosedonacombinationofheroinandalcohol.Itjustseemsthatfartoomanypeopledontthinkaboutthedownsideofdrugandalcoholabuse.Asolutionissimplejustlookatbothsides.Unfortunatelymanydont.ThatiswheretheYoungMarinescanreallymakeadifference.OurDrugDemandreductionclassesaredesignedtogiveyouthefullestunderstandingofillegaldrugs.Sodontbeshyaboutittellyourfriendsoutsidetheprogramallaboutwhatyouvelearnedtoo.ByJosephBlesYoungMarinesInspectorGeneralThisisasafetynoteaboutadangerousnewdrug.ThedrugsstreetnamenowadaysisMolly.Ithasbeenaroundinotherformsforaverylongtimeatleastsince1914whenitwasintroducedasadietsupplement.MollyisactuallythepowderorcrystallineformofMDMAmorecommonlycalledEcstasy.ManyYoungpeoplebelievingtheyarebeinghiparenowusingMollyatconcertsfortheexhilaratingeffectithasandrelyingontheclaimthatitisnon-addictive.WhatdoesthisdrugactuallydoItincreasesyourbodytem-peratureraisesyourheartrateandincreasesyourbloodpres-sure.Thosecombinedeffectscanbecomearecipeforheatstroke.AsofthiswritingtwoyoungpeoplehavediedfromusingMollyoneinNewYorkandoneinBostonandmanymorehavebeenhospitalized.SafetyTipADangerousNewFormofEcstacyYoungMarineGraduationsandSpecialAchievementsCongratulationstoallournewYoungMarinesandtoallthosewhotaughtandnurturedthem.GoodWorkUnitNorthernKentuckyDateMay25UCLynneArnoldHonorgradReeceKellerUnitCapitalCityNCDateJune17UCDouglasSmithHonorgradBrandonCampbellUnitThreeRiversDEDateJune23UCPatrickMcMahonHonorgradKylePrevitiUnitCincinnatiOHDateJune27UCVictorFuquaHonorgradCalebKeeneUnitCapitalAreaTXDateJune30UCRichardPerezHonorgradDavinPetersonUnitChicagosOwnILDateJuly27UCLeonardJakubiakHonorgradLuisAguilarUnitEagleCADateAugust10UCDuaneSiegmannHonorgradJeremyHoltzUnitSoutheastCountyCAUCNoreenMantleHonorgradCalDornbushUnitOPSOLADateAugust13UCJamilChampagneHonorgradNicholasScottPerfectPhysicalFitnessTestPFTYMCplDustinGarrishLinnBentonORYMCplCodyHartmanYumaAZYM1stSgtAlexLoriaColWesleyFoxVAYMPFCDavinPetersonCapitalAreaPAYMMSgtJoshuaSmithShenandoahValleyVASpecialAchievementYMLCplMarkMcCloskeyoftheEastValleyYoungMarinesAZisalsoaBoyScoutandhere-centlyearnedthehighestrankattainableintheBoyScoutsofAmericatheEagleRank.TohelpearntherankaScoutneedstodesignandcompleteacommunityprojecttheaimistohelpyoungmendevelopcommunicationplanningandleadershipskills.MarkoversawaprojectthatincludedrenovatingfourchildrensministryclassroomsatNewHopeCommunityChurchinGilbertAZ.Heputin126hoursontheprojecthimselfwhile504hourswasdocumentedforeveryoneinvolved.Theentireprojectwasfullyfundedbydonationsfrombusinessesandindividuals.CongratulationstoMarkonthishallmarkachievementMarkMcCloskeyYoungMarineandEagleScout.ESPRITFall201329 ATTENTIONYOUNGMARINESYouvejustdroppeda1000-lbbombonaJapanesecarrierandsetodozensoMitsubishiA6M2Zeros.NowwillyougetbacktoyourfattopaliveCALLUSTODAYat1-800-233-8764TOGETYOURSUBSCRIPTIONSTARTEDYouknowyoureaNAVALHISTORYBUFFif...thehairsonyournecktingleatrivetingstoriesogreatnavalbattlesyoureascinatedbythelessonslearnedwhentwopowerulnationscollideatseayourethrilledbybehind-the-scenesinsightsandstoriesostealthoperationsandyouadmirethevalorandgut-wrenchingcourageosailorssubmarinersaviatorsSEALsandMarinesastheycarryoutdangerousmissionsthen...NavalHistorytheaward-winningmagazinepublishedbytheU.S.NavalInstituteisforyouNootherpublicationgivesyouas-iyou-were-thereactsanddetailedaccountsowhatreallyhappenedinhistoricnavalconfictsandcat-and-mousepursuits.IyoulovehistoryyoullloveNavalHistory.CanwestartyoursubscriptiontodayStartyoursubscriptionnowandPAYADISCOUNTEDRATEojust20orthenextyear6colorulissuesandsave44othenewsstandpriceo36ThisisaFANTASTICMAGAZINEpublishedbyourfriendsattheNavalInstitute.ISTRONGLYENCOURAGEyoutotakeadvantageofthisexclusiveofferTODAYMIKEKESSLERNationalDirectorCEOYoungMarinesoftheMarineCorpsLeague