The Young Marines of Lancaster County, PA were invited to be a part of the Me- morial Day Parade in Mt. Joy, PA on May 26, 2018. The Marine Corps League De- tachment 294 invited us to honor those individuals who fought and gave their lives to preserve the freedom that we value so much today. Two of our Young Marines, Rct Kyle Wildes and YM/PFC Ethan Braegelmann, carried the Marine Corps League banner during the parade as they led the charge down the streets of Mt. Joy. YM/Pvt Mitchell Poco and YM/LCpl Jo- seph DiFabrizio were a part of the Ma- rine Corps League color guard. They were followed by four graduating seniors, YM’LCpl James Thompson, YM/GySgt Cait- lin Cole, YM/Cpl Amanda Griffith, and YM/Cpl Con- nor Hamilton, took part in the color guard of the parade. Driving the Mount Suri- bachi float was our unit Commanding Officer, Mr. Jamie Cole, and on the float were YM/Pvt Anto- nio Acosta, YM/LCpl Briana Cole, YM/Cpl Ryan Fitzgerald, YM/Cpl David Groome, and Recruits Sean Pakacki and Elijah Ro- sario. Before the parade, Commanding Of- ficer Cole, explained the history behind the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. The iconic photograph, taken by Joe Rosen- thal on February 23, 1945, was the inspi- ration behind the building of the Mount Suribachi float. The Lancaster County Young Marines have used the float in pa- rades throughout southern Pennsylvania for the past six years. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018, Lancaster County YM/SSgt Daniel Sampson V., YM/Cpl Amanda Griffith,and YM/Cpl Connor Hamilton took part in the Elizabethtown Area Memorial Day Pro- gram sponsored by The American Legion Conewago Post 329 in Elizabethtown,PA. They had the privilege to be a part of the parade, ceremony, and the 21- gun salute. Anytime the Marine Corps League needs Young Marines, to partici- pate in a ceremony, celebration, baseball game honoring veterans, Toys for Tots, high school graduation, or a parade, they can count on the Young Marines to be there. It is always a source of pride for the Young Marines to serve alongside re- tired Marines as well as active duty Ma- rines to represent the military in our part of the country. -- Submitted by Diana Six, Unit Adjutant, Lancaster County (PA) Young Marines Lancaster County: How We Observed Memorial Day By YM/Sgt Nathaniel Paredes Quantico (VA) The Quantico Young Marines had the privilege of performing a Color Guard at the World War II Memo- rial to honor those who served in WWII. YM/1st/Sgt Jones, YM/GySgt Williams, YM/Pvt Branscum, and I all participated in this event. Young Marines performed in front of numerous veterans, and many civilians. While the Young Marines presented the colors, the Music Celebrations International Group sang the National Anthem. The memorial attracted a big crowd, so it was great having people honor WWII Veter- ans with us. After the Color Guard, we had the chance of going to the Lincoln Memorial. For some of us, it was our first time going to either the WWII or Lincoln Memorial. Overall, we all had a good time. While the Quantico Unit already had 5 other events for Memorial Day weekend, we were happy to add in another event to support our veterans. Memorial Day is all about honoring those who have served in our nation’s mili- tary, and I am proud to say that we participated. Quantico: Color Guard at the WWII Memorial in D.C. Young Marines Esprit ONLINE 21