By YM/Cpl Chelsea Ponder Atlantic Coast (FL) Atlantic Coast (FL) Young Marines took a week-long summer trip to Washington, DC, where we saw many extraordinary monuments, buildings, historical sites, and museums. When we returned, we were asked (in an after-action report) what our fa- vorite activity was on the trip. It took me a while, but I replied that the National Museum of the Holocaust was my favorite part of the trip, because it represented an interesting time in the his- tory of our world. The museum consisted of four levels, repre- senting different stages of the Holocaust, an important event during the last century. When you enter the museum, you are given a card. The card has a name and the story of a person on it. When you go through the museum, you are acting as that person. As you walk through the entrance you’re walking into a Jewish home. The displays show a represention of how people lived prior to the events that began the Holocaust. After you leave the house, you walk into a room representing darkness. It depicts one of the concentration camps. As you move on to the second and third floor, you see models of the box cars used to transport people to camps, dis- plays of clothing worn by those in the camps, and read and hear many sad stories that describe the imprisonment, forced labor and often, the deaths that were endured. The last floor represents the journey to freedom,to Israel becoming a nation,and the efforts to put our differences aside and looking to what our society has came to today. Touring this museum really opened my eyes and taught me to cherish everything I have in life. I highly recommend it and I hope I will be able to return. ACYM: A Trip to Washington, and a Chance to Learn About History In November,the Miramar (CA) Young Marines volunteered to work as greeters for the Natural High anti-drug program's gala event in La Jolla, CA. The Young Marines greeted guests, directed them to the VIP area and venue and helped to organize a conga line to bring all of the guests into the Grand Ballroom. YM/MSgt Sophia M. Righthouse staffed a Young Marines information booth in the VIP area. The Young Marines did a fantastic job and were brought on stage and thanked for thier efforts at the conclusion of the event. Pictured (L-R): YM/PFC Philpott, YM/PFC Mayer, YM/Pvt Garcia, YM/Pvt Xayavong, YM/ Pvt Pankau, and (center) YM/MSgt Righthouse. -- Submitted by Bret A. Righthouse, Unit Commander, Miramar (CA) Young Marines Miramar: Assisting at a “Natural High” Event The National Museum of the Holocaust was my favorite part of the trip, because it represented an interesting time in the history of our world. Touring this museum really opened my eyes and taught me to cherish everything I have in life. By YM/Cpl Michael Manley Atlantic Coast (FL) This summer. I had the opportunity to learn firearms safety with my Young Marines unit. It was better than I thought it would be. We went to the range early in the morning and had a period of safety instruction before we were allowed to go on the range. Safety is a huge part of shooting, to make sure that no one has an accident. After the safety class, we geared up (we were equipped with safety gear so we wouldn’t get hurt). We all put on gog- gles and ear protection. After we were all suited up in our gear we went to the range. The instructors put targets on lines and rolled them out. Once they gave us the go ahead, we were allowed to start shooting. The first gun we fired was a rifle. We all had a pretty good start. We were able to bring home our target sheet. The next gun that we had the opportunity to operate was a shotgun (which is used to skeet shoot). In skeet shoot- ing, rather than aiming at a stationary target, our instruc- tor sent a disc up into the air and we had to shoot it. We knew if we hit it because it would blow up.The 12 gauge shotgun had a lot of kick (or recoil) which made it more difficult to fire than the rifle. Even though I thought one was harder than the other, firing both was awesome.I would do it again in a heartbeat and wish I could do it more often. If any Young Marine has the chance to learn to shoot, they definitely should. As long as you listen to what the instructors teach you about safety, you will have a fun and safe time. Learning Firearms Safety, Marksmanship (Almost Like a Real Marine) YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 35