Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54Milwaukee Memorial Commemorates Vietnam War By YM/Cpl Benjamin Rodriguez South East Wisconsin (WI) Last August, I attended an event called, “LZ War Memorial Center: Musical Tribute to Vietnam Veterans,” at the Milwau- kee County War Memorial Center, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. I had the opportunity to meet Silver Star recipient George Banda, and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Wetzel. Mr. Wet- zel, a supporter of the Young Marines program, gave me a Con- gressional Medal of Honor challenge coin, with his name inscribed on the back. During the event, the au- thors of the book, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, Doug Bradley and Craig Werner, talked about how music during the Vietnam War impacted soldiers at war and civilians at home. They described in detail the journey that they shared with Vietnam veterans and musicians of the time, during the course of writing of their book. Outside, on Fitch Plaza, local bands played songs from the Vietnam War era. Videos of Bob Hope and USO performers entertaining troops were shown on a large screen. In addition, a wall of Vietnam veterans from the state of- Wisconsin who were killed in action, was erected in the main lobby of the War Memorial Center, featuring names and pho- tographs of the soldiers, in order of what county they were from. As I observed and listened, I realized how mu- sic of this generation impacted both military personnel and civilians alike. The songs played obviously took people back to a moment in time, whether happy or sad, to a time in their youth, never to be recaptured. To Vietnam vets in the Milwaukee area and everywhere, thank you for your service. By YM/SgtMaj Hannah Witham DeSoto (FL) As an American, a Young Marine, and a student I learn more everyday about our nation’s history and how important it is. I feel American values are very important.American values helped form what America is today and also how far we have come as a nation and all we have accomplished. A big part of America’s history that I learn more about every year are the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor (also known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor) which took place on December 7th, 1941 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The morning of December 7th was just another day like any other, until the first wave of Japanese aircraft began to attack the the U.S Pacific fleet and adjacent military installations.As a result, America was drawn into the Second World War. The attacks on Pearl Harbor and the islands of Hawaii have changed the way we look at a lot of different things in our history and even present day events. The attacks were very devastating to not only the people involved, but also to ev- ery American upon hearing about it. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and another 1,200 were injured. This event in our history will never be forgot- ten. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his December 8, 1941 speech to congress, “Yester- day, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was sud- denly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” That event in our history is very important and should be valued by everyone. It really makes us sit back and look and everything we as a nation have been through. American val- ues are also a very important thing, and I personally think we should all have a strong understanding and strong knowl- edge about them. December 7th, 1941, should be a day on one should forget, and I can’t wait to honor the sacrifices of all the brave men and women by traveling to Pearl Harbor for the 75th Anni- versary. American Values: Honoring the Memory of Pearl Harbor By YM/SSgt D.J. Hicks Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office (LA) On Sunday, 23 October, the Jeffer- son Parish Sheriffs Office Young Ma- rines assisted with 10th annual Tour de Jefferson race. The event is spon- sored by the Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce with the goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle and the beautiful natu- ral areas of West Jefferson. There are several different routes to choose from, including one that is 50 miles long. The routes pass along the Mis- sissippi River and through bayous and swamps. Fourteen Young Marines assisted with setting up tents, serv- ing food and maintaining cleanliness of their general area and breaking it down upon conclusion of the event. The area we worked in is about ten miles from the city of New Orleans but is a totally different world. This is the fourth time we have participated in this event and always look forward to it. JPSO: We Helped Out at the Tour de Jefferson Race 12 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE