In early October, our unit formed a com- mittee to discuss the purpose of Red Ribbon Week. The committee consisted of YM/CPL Danyall Brown, YM/LCpl Anthony Hill, YM/ PFC Haylie Briscoe, YM/PFC Yagaira Marti- nez, YM/PFC Dedreon Knight and YM/PVT Amya Reese. Ideas were presented to the committee for the upcoming events for Red Ribbon Week. The first order of business was to request a proclamation from the governor and mayors of various communities in the area. Fifty requests were sent out. The committee also discussed the start date for Red Ribbon Week. The group also made a list of items that would be needed for Red Ribbon Week. To help with this event, the committee asked the other Young Marines for their sup- port to make Red Ribbon Week a suc- cess. During Red Ribbon Week, one hun- dred eighteen Young Marines were briefed on how to conduct themselves and interact with the people they came in contact with. The Young Marines set up four tables to display information on “Closing the Gate on Drugs.” They also displayed the Young Ma- rines’ Pledge, and other important informa- tion pertaining to Red Ribbon Week. These Young Marines also attended and present- ed information to several schools as well as churches within the community. For their first time being involved with the Young Marines program,the Mitchell County Young Marines had a very successful Red Ribbon Week. These young men and women did an exceptional job interacting with the other students and community. -- Submitted by Nathaniel Lowman, Unit Commander, Mitchell County (GA) Young Marines Georgia YM Unit: Our First Red Ribbon Week was Successful! For Mitchell County Young Marines,:Planning and Teamwork make for a successful Red Ribbon Week. North San Diego: We Wear the Red Cord, and Stay Drug-Free North San Diego (CA) Young Marines in formation for Red Ribbon Week 2017. --Submitted by Marie Smith, Adjutant, North San Diego (CA) Young Marines By YM/PVY Bennett Moore North San Diego (CA) The Red Cord bracelet reminds me to keep people from tricking you to abuse drugs. Drugs and alcohol will make you crazy and you will act in ways that you don’t want to act. Drugs are a waste of money and if you are arrested, you will go to jail. Jail is not a nice place and your family will be sad for you as you waste years of your life in jail. If drug abusers see your Red Cord,they will know that you will know how to say no to drugs and they will stay away from you. For this reason, we suggest that you always wear your Red Cord. A life with drug abuse is bad, and life free from drug abuse is happy and good. By YM/Sgt Dayna Holthus North San Diego (CA) The Red Cords that we wear on our wrists aren’t just there for decoration. There is a very important meaning behind it. The Red Cord is like the red ribbons that we wear during Red Ribbon Week, except that it is 24/7, 365 days a year. I am very proud that I get to wear this be- cause it represents being drug-free and liv- ing a healthy life. The reason that we wear it on our right wrist is so that when you shake someone’s hand,they see it and ask questions about why you wear the Red Cord. I think it’s important to spread the word about the dangers of drug abuse. Personally, I want people to see my Red Cord and I want them to know that I have chosen to live a healthy drug-free lifestyle. I’m not embarrassed to show it off and I don’t think anyone should feel embarrassed to wear it.I believe that wearing the Red Cord will help prevent kids and teens from abus- ing drugs and drinking alcohol because it raises their awareness. The Red Cord Means Young Marines Choose to Live Drug-Free YM Sgt Dayna Holthus YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 11