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By YMCPL Melody Conde Foothills CO This summer I attended Space Acad- emy in Huntsville Alabama. Not only did I make new friends and met Young Marines from across America but it is a summer that Ill remember for a long time. I took part in many activities such as a role-playing space mission seeing real rockets and working together with others in the water to build an object. I had the chance be an astronaut dur- ing one of the missions. I not only had to flip some switches from the more than five thousand switches in the space capsule but I had to go out put on a space suit and reenact what astronauts did to repair heat plates these plates prevent a capsule from burning up on re-entering the Earths atmosphere. We put on space suits which were quite heavy and a helmet before putting on a harness. Then I was attached to a har- ness and the harness pulled another girl and I about six feet in the air. We replaced blocks in this tray to complete our mission. That was probably my fa- vorite memory. What was also intriguing was the fact that the actual rockets and space ships that had journeyed into space were- displayed outside. I saw an actual ship used during testing. It was one of the biggest space vehicles that I have seen. On another day during my week in Ala- bama we all wore swimsuits and had to build a giant cube out of tubes in the water and we were timed against other groups. We all had to use teamwork but the next time that we had to build the cube we couldnt speak to one another we had to communicate in ways other than speaking. Going to Space Academy was probably one of my best memories over the summer and I would definitely rec- ommend going to Space Academy. Editors Note The Young Marines has shifted from the Space Academy in Hunts- ville AL to the National Flight Academy in Pensacola FL. Make sure to check out the SPACES Manual for the upcoming sign up period. Space Academy A Highly Recommended Adventure By YMCPL Morrow Coleman Greater Cleveland OH I had the greatest experience ever at a National Young Marine event. I got a chance to go to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville AL for Space Academy. Space Academy is a week-long educational program promoting science technology engineering and math- ematics or STEM. We also took part in hands-on activities like building model rockets. My favorite activity was when our team worked together on our shuttle mission. I served as station specialist 2 and I got to do an EVA for Extra Vehicu- lar Activity you wear a spacesuit and are strapped into a lift cable to simulate anti-gravity. Our job was to perform re- pairs on the Space Shuttle. I also met a lot of new friends from other units from all over the country. I would highly recommend anybody in- terested in science or space exploration to check out Space Camp. Numerous Challenges Await You at Space Academy By YMGySgt Martha Vaught Lt.Alexander Bonnyman TN Your first day of recruit training How do you feel Nervous Scared Excited Good you should be. Those feelings shape who you will become in life. They say when one is stressed their true colors are seen. When you first start out in the program you feel a sense of pride for being able to call yourself a Young Marine.You feel a sense of belonging because you have completed the training to be a part of something bigger than yourself. But we all know that after graduation day sometimes only a few return. Some of the friends that youve made in training were only there for the title and uniform not to be a part of your unit. That can be disappointing. A new fear of meeting the older Young Marines makes you hesitant but this will always happen in life friends come and go and youll be forced to meet new people. Its a test thats easy to pass when you find the courage to actually do it. You find that one friend in the program and that is your stability that keeps you coming back. Then as you find your- self handling more responsibilities and obtaining rank and you see those under you struggling to stay. Remember that is where you came from. You were once in their shoes and you have to take that knowledge and put it into action. As the years pass you go to leadership school and you find that there are many people like you... and many people not like you. The influence that comes from leadership schools is outstanding. Some Young Marines who go to the academies may not seem to be the example we are trying to set. How- ever my point isnt to discuss their flaws but instead tell you that those people can either influence you in the wrong way or the right way. What you choose to do with what is handed to you is what you get. At times it seems unfair and sometimes it seems difficult but in the end these choices are what shape you as a person. As a Young Marine Ive learned many many life lessons. And today I challenge you to take what has been done and given in your life and use it. BE the better person BE the role model for your Young Marines. YOU are the change that is going to change the world not anyone else. The Young Marines is a life-changing program through and through. The people we meet across the country the everlasting fellowship you will only get that in this program.You will find who you are in life through this program and if you dont like who you are now then change it Finding Yourself and Life Lessons in the Young Marines ESPRIT Page 23