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By Judy Link Western New York This year we actually conducted two Red Ribbon Week events. In addition to the one in June a D.A.R.E. event hosted by the Ni- agara County Sheriffs Department we also combined a Red Ribbon Week Blitz with a Country Meats fundraiser outside of Gan- der Mountain Sports. The credit for this brainstorm idea goes to staff member Mrs. Rider. We call it a brainstorm because she was able to secure space at Gander Mountain Sports during the last weekend for hunters to ob- tain permits. It was an extremely busy weekend with hunters lined up outside Gander Mountain early both Saturday and Sunday mornings waiting for the store to open. They had no choice but to see our tables set up with both delicious Coun- try Meats items and Red Ribbon Week materials. We split the unit into two groups to cover both doors so there would be no escape from us. Each of those groups were split into two groups one handling the sale of meat sticks very popular with hungry hunters and the other group discussing the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle. Many hunters brought their sons and daughters with them to obtain these permits and even those without chil- dren took some of the DDR items. At one point our Young Marines got a little silly with the slap braceletscovering themselves in them and although the staff wasnt at all sure it was a good ideathey did seem to draw at- tention and smiles from everyone who saw them. We showed people that you dont need drugs and alcohol to have fun. The weekend was an amazing success. Our message reached at least 500 people. Western New York A Great Opportunity to Reach a Large Audience The success of our Drug Demand Reduction efforts are assured by the hard work and dedication of many of our Adult Volunteers. We recognize six of these outstanding individuals here Edward Mitrook from Division 1 from Division 2 Rebecca Anderson and from Division 3 Linda Gionet Division 5 Chris Friedhof and Division 6 Holly Lewis. Division 4 Volunteer will appear in our next issue. Division 1 Edward Mitrook Ed Mitrook became a Registered Adult Volun- teer in 1997 with Westover Young Marines. Ed has been the Unit Commander since May 1999 and was the Southern New England Regiment Commander 2003 to 2010. I became involved with YMs when another Marine and I were invited to attend a drill with Westover Young Marines and were very impressed at how locked-on and polite these youth were how they fell in and took orders. Westood back and observed the active and reserve Marines train these youth for about an hour and by then we were hooked. What I like teaching an 89 year old is what we were taught about camaraderie dedication drill Esprit de Corps and watch them grasp hold of this knowledge and expand it toleadership positions within their unit and the programup to a national level. Then having these former Young Marines return and join up as Adult Volunteers to pass on knowledge to the next generation. Thats the best compli- ment any leader could get. Division 2 Rebecca Anderson Rebecca quickly learned the value of YMs by watching her son learn lessons and leadership skills as he completed Recruit Training. Seeing the value and importance Rebecca became an Adult Volunteer in 2012 with Jarrettsville MD Unit. In 2013 Rebecca became unit Adjutant. She has been diligent keeping the database up to date and tracking hours for YMs and adults to earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. In March 2014 Rebecca became Executive Officer for the 3rd Battalion Maryland Regiment and has been very active in the planning and executing the Division 2 Winter Encampment in 2014 and 2015. Commit- ment to learning to enhance the Young Marines experience she makes opportunities with other unit and command level venues for her learning and herYoung Marines. Her commit- ment and leadership recently lead to her being voted the unit Executive Officer. Division 3 Linda Gionet Volunteers are the heart of the Young Marines pro- gram and Linda Gionet affectionately known as Young Marine Grandma is no exception. A volun- teer with Orlando FL Devil Dogs Linda has tak- en the initiative with a whole range of volunteer tasks--everything from setting up unit meetings giving classes taking photographs and ensuring scrapbooks are up-to-date. During the recent Young Marines National Encampment she volunteered to take care of two registered adults and their families while they were admitted to a local hospital and kept family updatedallowing the Young Marines National Encampment staff to focus on the 300 Young Ma- rines and Registered Adults in attendance. Lindas generosity and support are deeply appreciated by all of us Division 5 Chris Freidhof Since Chris Freidhof joined the Young Marines as an Adult Leader in September of 2012 he has been committed to promoting the Young Marines Core Values of Teamwork Leadership and Discipline. The value that stands out most is Mr.Freidhofs Leadershipnot just because he is the Unit Commander but because of the way he leads. Continued next page Spotlighting Young Marines Division Volunteers ESPRIT Page 7