By YM/GySgt Bryson Bell Rutherford County (TN) 10 November 2017: “Color guard, present colors!”It was not the first time I had given that command under my breath as hundreds of people watched our every move. It was actually the third year that I and my two greatest Young Marine friends had the honor of performing color guard for the Can- non County Veteran’s Day Program. I am YM/GySgt Bryson Bell, and along with YM Corporals Andrew and Corey Smith, we had the opportunity to perform a color guard in what Ten- nessee State Representative Mark Pody called “The best Veteran’s Day Program in the state” American Legion Post 279 of Woodbury, TN has put on this program for 22 years. The program takes place at the Cannon County High School we attend.The entire student body sits in the bleachers along with local veterans. Our State Representative Mark Pody and State Senator May Beavers have attended for the past 5 years. There are several guest speakers as well as a history of the flag pre- sentation. The national guard brings vehicles and a local church sets up a military history booth. My great- grandfather, who was an Air Force Tech Sergeant, helped create and run the Veteran’s Day program until his death in 2010. My great-grandfather, (who I called “Pa”) has influenced me to pursue a military career. Being a part of the program and presenting the colors is much more than carrying a rifle for me. It means that I get to assist in honoring our veterans.It also gives us a chance to show our local veterans what the Young Marines program is all about. More impor- tantly, I am a part of the ceremony that my Pa helped to cre- ate. I can only imagine how big the smile on his face is look- ing down from Heaven to see his great-grandson honoring veterans while representing the greatest youth organization in the world… The Young Marines. Rutherford County Young Marines flanked by State Representative Mark Pody (Left) and State Senator Mae Beavers (right). Rutherford County: Great Grandson Honors a Special Veteran On October 2017, Golden Gate Young Marines hosted the 1st Bn, NCR, Bat- talion Encampment, aboard the USS Hornet Museum, located in Alameda, CA.The 1st Battalion participated in San Francisco's Fleet Week celebration, where they were recognized by the Marines aboard the USS Essex and given a private tour of the ship, as well as recognized by the ground crew of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. The Young Marines were fortunate to spend the day with Blue Angels and join them as they prepared for their airshow.What an honor! An outstanding job by Golden Gate, Tehama, Galt and Sacramento Young Marines. And we especially thank those Marines and Sailors, who took the time to recognize the Young Marines. Semper Fi! -- Submitted by Jason Dietschman, Unit Commander, Golden Gate (CA) Young Marines 1st Bn, NCR Encampment is Aboard USS Hornet Museum By YM/PFC Isabella Repreza Eagle (CA) I look forward to our Eagle (CA) Young Marine activity every week. We participated in the Patriot Day Fire- fighter Hill Climb, marking the an- niversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.Our Eagle unit had the honor of being able to go on a 9/11 hike so I could experi- ence the things firefighters go thru all the time. We learned about a fire truck that lost its crew in the New York Twin Towers attack on 9/11, that of number 5 Engine Company, of the 75 other Fire Engine trucks that answered the call to save civil- ians lives. The hike allows people to feel some of what firefighters had to experience by climb- ing a hill that represented the equivalent of climbiing a 110 story building. The Eagle Young Marines took it even far- ther by having people go on a stretcher, so we could see how the firefighters had to carry people in and out of the building. I am extremely thankful I was able to go on that hike, because it opened my eyes and gave me a whole new prospective of firefighters and policemen. From now on I will see firefighters in a much more positive way. Patriot Day Firefighter Hill Climb in Honor of 9/11 Heroes MY YM UNIT YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 11