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Page 6 ESPRIT By YMCpl Jake Flynn Upstate SC Each year we celebrate Red Ribbon Week and each year I speak to a local elementary school on the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle. I speak from that heart hoping that my mes- sage to the students I encounter is clear and something they will remem- ber. This year I decided that I would seek a proclamation from the city where I live and go to school. So I requested a proc- lamation for the City of Easley SC from Mayor Bagwell. In my request I told him about Young Marines our beliefs our mission and why Red Ribbon Week was important to me and the community. I was able to receive the proclamation just as many other Young Marines do each year However this was not just a piece of paper to me. It was a learning experience. It was a chance to be involved on a larger scale with my community. I believe in everything that the Young Marines do to promote Red Ribbon Week but this year I understood that the words on the paper were important in bringing together young people and city leaders to address the nations drug problem and bring awareness. If I were not involved in the Young Marines I may have never spoken out on behalf of the youth of my city. It was an honor and an unforgettable experience. I Was Working For More Than Just A Piece of Paper OPSO YMs Receive a Proclamation Last November was special for the Orleans Parish Young Marines who were presented with a Proclamation for excellence in drug prevention and youth services by the City of New Orleans. This was presented by Julius Feltus Senior Advisor for community relations to Latoya Cantrell Council Member District B. Our Young Marines and staff were very motivated after receiving Procla- mation from Mr. Feltus and the City Of New Orleans as proof positive that we are contributing to our community. -- Submitted by Jamil Champagne Unit Commander OSPO 2 LA Young Marines Self-Respect A Key Part of Living a Drug-Free Lifestyle By YMSSgt Tyler Smith Chino Valley CA Self-respect is very important and something everyone should have. I be- lieve that for many teenagers self-re- spect is something they struggle to find. When you are young you try so hard to fit in or be accepted by your peers that youll do anything at all even drugs in order to fit in. Often you forget about the values that matter and if you lose sense of these values its difficult to have self-respect. This year as units across the nation participated in Red Ribbon week activi- ties I brought an idea to my dad and with his help we began working on implementing the idea. When this project started I was with the Tustin CA unit and within the unit there are Young Marines from many different cities. My idea was to contact each mayor of each city that our Young Marines represent and ask the mayor to support us with a proclamation. We saw each mayor and their cities learning about our efforts at Closing the Gate on Drugs. By the end of Red Ribbon Week we were able to get the following mayors and their cities to support the Young Marines with their proclamations May- or Tait City of Anaheim Mayor Brown City of Buena Park Mayor Simonoff City of Brea Mayor Mensinger City of Costa Mesa Mayor Nguyen City of Garden Grove Mayor Pulido City of Santa Ana Mayor Puckett City of Tustin Mayor Ta City of Westminster Mayor Hernandez City of Yorba Linda. For me Ill always remember attend- ing these city council meetings and per- sonally receiving the proclamations. It showed me that our public officials are willing to make a difference in the war against drugs. It was a pleasure to stand together with my fellow Young Marines not only in my unit but across the nation in hon- oring Enrique Kiki Camerena his sac- rifice was the reason why Red Ribbon Week began. Since then Im now with the Chino Valley CA Young Marines. This unit worked very hard in putting to- gether a video that is very moving The video can be seen on YouTube Chino Valley Young Marines Red Ribbon Week Project Be a Hero not a Zero.I hope that everyone will view it. So respect your- selves and continue to live a drug free lifestyle. Just two of many proclamations from communities in California.