By YM/SgtMaj Angel Luiz Orozco 2017-2018 National Young Marine of the Year Pikes Peak (CO) As a Division Young Marine of the Year I took part in the Guam/Iwo Jima trip. The other Division Young Marines of the Year and I spent five days on Guam and toured Iwo Jima for one day as a part of the 72nd Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima on the Reunion of Honor Tour. This trip is a lesson, an opportunity to understand the history that this world is built upon,and an amazing experience to talk to the men that fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. What I take away from the trip is a deeper understanding of not only who I am, but the Young Marines and the United States as a nation. We spent many days learning about the history of Guam and touring the island, visiting beaches and landmarks of hundreds of years of history, like the caves where the enemy entrenched themselves waiting to fight American forces, and the beaches that U.S. forces invaded. Guam is historically very important and I loved being there; being able to bond with my fellow Young Marines, but in the end, anyone who was there was there for Iwo Jima. Every per- son was there to see the black sands that were described like a pit of wet coffee grounds.They were there to see Mt. Suribachi, where the most iconic raising of the American flag took place, to smell the stench of the sulfur mines on the island, and feel the gravity of a grave that is still home to 13,000. It was early morning when we boarded the flight to Iwo Jima, some were excited, others were quiet, everyone was preparing themselves. I spent the flight thinking about the months of time it took a warship to traverse the ocean during the war. I was thinking of how those Marines and Sailors felt as they floated ever so slowly towards a fight, a fight that would define World War II and live in the minds of the world for generations to come. When I first saw Iwo Jima with my own eyes it didn’t seem real.It was tiny; a pile of sand that just barely broke the surface of the vast ocean.At just over 9 square miles it could fit within Hawaii more than 400 times.Every American was nearly shoul- der to shoulder in a vicious battle; 26,000 American casualties (including 6,800 American deaths); 22,000 Japanese casualties (including 18,000 Japanese deaths). The other Young Marines and I climbed Mt. Suribachi slowly and with a breath of exhilaration, when we reached the top everyone was quiet but anxious, we moved quickly trying to soak in everything we could in our short time there.We raised our flags atop Mt.Suribachi,and stared out at the sea where the fleet of Ameri- can Ships lumbered towards the island so long ago like the clouds, seemingly filling the entire ocean. We stood where the Japanese had watched the United States military approach what seemed like a death sentence; where after a few short days those American boys raised the stars and stripes to stand tall amid battle. We then marched to the beaches, it began to rain once we arrived; in my mind, I could see the American soldiers crawling across the beaches, trying so desperately to hide but having nowhere to go. When I saw the veterans again, I connected the dots from their sacrifice to my life,I could see the memories in their faces. They survived war, but still carried its weight, and had done so since they were young men 70 years ago. I was quieted by the thought that many of them were my age when they joined the Second World War. If they had not fought in that battle then the war would have been different, the atomic bombs might not have been dropped and the world that we know would not exist. The group of Marines in Waterbury,CT in 1959 would not have come together, they wouldn’t have created a program to teach character and leadership. The long and illustrious history of the Young Marines would not exist, I would have never seen my step brother in uniform and I never would have wanted to be a Young Marine. If it were not for the actions of those heroes; those giants of history, then I would have never embarked on a 9-year journey that made me who I am. Admiral Chester Nimitz said, “Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” These young men fought with a courage that the world had never seen; 23 medals of honor were earned on that small island. I felt the honor and thankfulness to be able to be with the men who carved history into the stone of time. It is to them that we owe all that we are; we stand atop the shoulders of giants and I saw how tall they truly are. It is our duty as Americans and Young Marines to honor them and all Americans who served our nation. They were regular men who answered the call of the nation; and they saved the world. If they can do that, then it is only right that we do everything we can to be the best that we can be as individuals and as a nation; as Young Marines born in the heritage of these giants. I will remember their sacrifice and service, and I hope that I may serve and sacrifice as they did to make the world a bet- ter place. In the spirit of their uncommon valor, I leave with a single phrase that the Young Marines share with the United States Marine Corps, Semper Fidelis. [Editor’s Note: YM/SgtMaj Angel Luis Orozco is National Young Marine of the Year]. everyone was quiet but anxious, we moved quickly trying to Reunion of Honor Tour: On The Shoulders of Giants Reunion of Honor Tour: On The Shoulders of Giants Reunion of Honor Tour Guam • Iwo Jima • 2017 12 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT