By YM/PFC Esias Valentin Westover (MA) My name is YM/PFC Esias Valentin and I am 16 years old. I joined the Westover Young Ma- rines a couple of months ago and have gone through many ups and downs since. In my re- cruit platoon, I was the one who showed up with attitude and resentment on my face. At first, I resisted the training and the adult staff noticed.At one point I even refused to drill and sat on the side of the drill deck away from the rest of the platoon. The second drill I came in the same way and again the adult staff took me aside and talked to me for a long time. Slowly, I started to let go of the attitude and began to get involved. I eventually became a squad leader and then guide. Once I made the change and was given these responsibilities, I began taking pride in the program and the improvements I had made. No more attitude or resentment. I began to take my knowledge training seriously, which I hadn’t done in the beginning and I would come to regret, be- cause I realized that if I had taken things seriously from the beginning I might have the chance to be honor grad or have been selected for a promotion at graduation. I realized that if I have respected the program from the beginning I would have been in a much better position. During the final testing,I put in all my effort and scored very high. This helped me show others and myself that I took the Young Ma- rines program seriously. It was now gradua- tion time and all the recruits were ready to show off to all the parents and officers in the room. We stepped off and marched into the room and took our seats. Our names were called one at a time, we reported, and we received our graduation certificates. After that special awards were announced. In my head I had some hope that my name would be called but I had doubts, too. Near the end my name was called and I was awarded a certificate for “Most Improved”. I returned to my seat and my name was called again, “YM Pvt Valentin- come for- ward!” My heart stopped, I thought I did something wrong. To my surprise, our guest speaker, Mr. Joseph Venable said to me that he heard my story and “is mighty impressed with the journey I had been through”. With his authority he was meritoriously promoting me to YM PFC and they pinned on my new rank. He also gave me a challenge coin! Thanks to all this happening I now and will forever wear my uniform with respect and pride. A Long Journey Through Recruit Training Ends With Recognition I began to take my knowledge training seriously, which I hadn’t done in the beginning... Young Marines Deputy Director Joseph Venable and YM/PFC Esias Valentin. A former Young Marine, Jared J. Haeg, stopped by the new National Headquar- ters last March with his parents. Jared, now 2nd Lt Haeg USMC, had just gradu- ated from The Basic School (TBS), Marine Corps Base Quantico and was prepar- ing to attend Infantry Officer’s Course at Quantico, to complete his training as an infantry officer. Maj Gen Wesley H. Rice, a native of Balti- more, Maryland, was commissioned a Sec- ond Lieutenant upon completion of Officer Candidate Screening Course in October, 1952. An infantry officer, he commanded units in each of the Corps’ three divisions. In 1964, he was selected to serve with the British Royal Marines and commanded “O” Company, 43 Commando, until 1965. One of the Corps’ foremost reconnaissance ex- perts, Gen Rice served with both the 1st and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Compa- nies, commanding the later in 1965-1966. Gen Rice’s personal decorations include: Legion of Merit with Combat “V”; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”; Meri- torious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award; Joint Service Com- mendation Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with gold star; Vietnamese Honor Medal 1st Class and the Vietnamese Fourragere (Cross of Gallantry level.) Maj Gen Rice retired in 1988. At some point after his retirement,according to Mi- chael B.Kessler,former National Executive Director of Young Marines, Maj Gen Rice donated one of his dress green uniforms with blouse, cover, and tie to be presented to a Young Marine that chose the Marine Corps and commissioned a 2nd Lt and in- fantry officer. 2nd Lt Haeg is that former Young Marine. National Executive Director, William P. Davis, and all Young Marines National staff members are very proud of you, 2nd Lieutenant Haeg USMC. Semper Fidelis! --Article Submitted by Young Marines National Headquarters Former Young Marine Receives Uniform of General Wesley H. Rice 2nd Lt Jared Haeg USMC 24 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT