The Atlantic Coast (FL) Young Ma- rines had the honor of hosting a remarkable inspirational speaker with a beautiful story. Mr. Harold Lawrence and his son, Josh, told us the story of how their lives com- pletely changed on one momen- tous night. Josh was an all-star athlete growing up as a child and was on his way to a life that most children can only dream of. Harold told us that his son began to hang with the wrong crowd, and allowed peer pressure to lead him down the wrong road. Josh had start- ing drinking and taking illegal drugs in high school. One fateful night in 2001, he climbed a tree after drink- ing and abusing drugs at an all-night party. He slipped and fell thirty feet on to a slab of concrete and suffered severe spinal cord and brain trauma.Josh spent the next three months in a coma and has since gone through numerous surgeries and has been unable to speak or walk for nearly sixteen years. The story could just end there,but they have decided that their lives have a higher purpose. Harold and Josh are taking their story on the road and are on a mission to speak to a million people. They run races together with a specialty bike that Harold pushes behind with Josh helping him pedal through the miles. Their mission is to tell their story and how the effects of peer pressure and bad decisions can have such devastating effects on so many people. I truly believe that their story made a profound impact on our Young Marines,families,and friends that were in attendance. I hope and pray that they can accomplish their mission and reach a million people. They are truly inspiring and have the ability to affect everyone who meets them.--Submitted by GySgt Michael Vicente, USMC (Ret), Execu- tive Officer , Atlantic Coast (FL) Young Marines ACYM: Hearing a Message About Peer Pressure’s Dangers 12 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE Josh Laurence: Hoping his message can reach a million. The Young Marines’ initiative to target the abuse of Gateway Drugs continues to gain support from units during Red Ribbon Week, and throughout the year. We present a few of their stories here. A father and his son seek to tell their tragic story of peer pressure to an audience of a million. By YM/Cpl Jhoanna Bonifas Pikes Peak (CO) At my young age, my dad has taught me to advance in the so- ciety we live in today, and he taught me to overcome my fears. For the past year my dad has let me fail many times at creating the perfect project to present to my class at school. Whenever I felt the project was going the wrong way and not going to work out, my dad was there with magazines or post- ers to help me get through this project. Being a Young Marine, I have been taught discipline, which to me means staying on top of what I am doing and not giving up. Without my dad involved with me, I would not have the mo- tivation to get through some of these tough times. I now know what motivation is, and am using it with my unit to help other Young Marines get motivated. In the last year, I have advanced on self-control, and overcome many fears, like public speaking. Public speaking was hard for me in the past. My project was about saying No to Marijuana use. Doing the research on this drug has taught me what it can do to your body and social life. Knowing this, I can educate others about this drug and its abuse and how to say No. To every Young Marine out there, you’re not too young to advance. Keep your mind positive, stay motivated and help others when you can. We need more lead- ers. DDR: Stay Positive and Motivated, Educate and Help Others A Project to Show to My Class at School, How to Say No to Marijuana