My Personal Quest to Remember Fallen Heroes From Past Wars By YM/LCpl Jones Trinity Valley (TX) My quest all started when our unit attended an encampment in Lufkin, TX for the Jack- sonville Marine Corps League. All those who were there were presented a set of I.D. tags with names of Texas Fallen Heroes. I was presented those of with Bobby J. Pagan, U.S. Army, who was killed on February 13th, 2010; he was born in Austin, TX on November 23rd, 1986. He was killed by an IED, and was only 23 when he was killed. I was presented this heroes tags on June 4th, 2016 and it was an honor to carry his tags after the sacrifice he made for my freedom. Soon after we were on our way back to Terrell, I got the idea, why stop with just this brave man why not go further and honor more heroes like Bobby who sacrificed their lives for my freedom? I found Bobby’s profile over facebook and that’s how I found his family and contact- ed a woman named Anastasia Pagan (who is Bobby’s sister. I got a sincere thank you from her. Then on July 16th, 2016 I told Bobby’s sister I was planning on visiting Bobby’s grave and a few days later she sent a picture of his head stone and where he is buried. This hero is buried at Asumption Cemetery in Austin, TX. On August 10th, 2016 I visited Bobby’s grave and posted it over facebook and received a very warm sincere thank you and appreciation for everything. I decided to do a tag for the Korean War also known as “The Forgotten War” I did this because this war has basically been forgotten about. I made the tag for the Korean War on June 22nd, 2016 with no connection to this hero, I just searched for names of those who was killed in action in the Korean War and found David M. Archer, who died on August 13th, 1950. David was born in Dallas, TX on April 5th, 1927. David was killed in an ambush; David had also served in World War II and he was killed at the age of 23.David served in the Marines.I also made one tag for the Vietnam War simply because when the troops came back they were treated so poorly. The tag I made for Vietnam was made on the same day and I found this hero’s name by searching up a vir- tual Vietnam Wall. Michael D. Baker died on April 23rd, 1972. Michael was born on April 3rd, 1951 in Port Henry, NY and served in the Navy; Michael was only 21 years old when he was killed in an attack in South Vietnam. I plan on doing one tag for every war and as I told Anastasia it is my mission that the words “gone but not forgotten” are applied to these heroes.They sac- rificed their life for my freedom the least I could do is make sure they will never be forgotten. I encourage others to join me in my quest to make sure these heroes are never forgotten.Don’t let their unselfish sacrifice be forgotten about, or taken for granted. Let’s thank these men by honoring them in every way we can.For those who want to join me in honoring these brave heroes, you don’t have to know them you can simply do what I did for Korea and Vietnam, just search for them. Even if you don’t make a tag, never allow the brave men and women who made the ultimate unselfish sacrifice to be forgotten. Semper FI Young Marines and a warm thank you and salute to those who paid the price of their life for my freedom.I challenge the Young Marines and even adults reading this take time to remember not just the veterans who made it home safe but also those who lost their lives.I promise the sacrifice you all made will never be forgotten and taken for granted so long as I live. Freedom is not FREE, Rest in Peace, you deserve it. By YM/MSgt Celeste Hamper Division 5 Public Affairs Correspondent “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude” said Jeff Mill- er.What does it mean to honor our veterans to you? Honoring our veteran should be some- thing natural to Young Ma- rines. Those men and women gave their lives to allow us to live in freedom. Whenever you see a veteran, take the time and thank them for their service to our country.They are the true heroes in the world. One requirement of the Distinguished Order of Merit award was to perform a veterans or community service project. I chose to do a veterans project, as one of our main points in the program is to honor our veterans. So with that, I gathered donations and put a plan together. In my small town, there is an army helicopter on display that was donated a few years ago. Located at the memo- rial there is a headstone that has a list of all from the area who died in the Vietnam War. Also, there is a memorial bench from a Vietnam veteran who passed away on Me- morial Day two years ago. This memorial is a honorable way to remember veterans who served our country. With my project and through do- nations I was able to plant quite a few flowers in the gar- den. I also added mulch to the garden. We made chevrons and spelled out “USA”. My unit, Ashtabula County Young Marines, came and helped out in May when we completed the project. The goal for the project was to have it done before Memorial Day, as people from the town gather and take a moment to remember our veterans. Young Marines should set their goals high and strive to ac- complish them. When you feel like you have reached the high- est you can, know there is something else you can do, or more ribbons to earn. Push to be the best you can, and never quit. A Project Honors Veterans and Area Heroes of the Vietnam War 34 • Vol.2 • 2017 • YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE EDITION