• From our National Young Marine of the Year As the summer comes to a close, we must remember all of the amazing things that have taken place all over the country. Remember the pure motivation of Chester’s Moto Show at the National Encampment and the morning runs to the ocean at the National Leadership Academies? Remember the first time the sails caught the wind and the vessel began to heel at the Sailing Adventure, and think back to the first time you rode horses at ORME. Remember the friends that you made, that you will hold onto for the rest of your life, and the feeling of doing something you never thought you could do? Remember catching the travel bug and wanting to go on more adventures? Hold onto these memories and feelings and carry on the things you learned, the things that made you better, into the next chapter of your life. As you transition into school, be determined to be a Young Marine everywhere. Leadership is not an act; it is a habit, a lifestyle. Being a Young Marine is a commitment to teamwork, leadership, and discipline. You have to be a leader at home, at school, in your community, and everywhere you go. Obey your parents and all others in charge. In school, you have to set the example for your peers; show them how to be a scholar and what a Young Marine looks like through your level of hard work and character. Stand against bullying in school, ensure that everyone is valued and accepted. Be a leader in your community through com- munity service, and educate them on how to stay drug-free during Red Ribbon Week. Wear your Red Cord every day to show that you are committed to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Keep your armor of character on as the Young Marine Birthday, Red Ribbon Week, and the New Young Marine of the Year process ap- proach. Summer may be over, but the commitment to strengthening the lives of America’s youth remains. You can do this as an individual by setting the example, but we can do this together by being a team. I believe in YOU, Young Marines, but even more than that, I believe in US and what we are capable of. We are all in this to- gether as Young Marines, Citizens, Youth, and Americans. “What Lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Oorah, Young Marines, and Semper Fidelis, YM/Sgt Maj Angel Luiz Orozco, National Young Marine of the Year 2017-2018 A Look at Summer, and What Lies Inside of You By YM/Sgt Mitchell Barstow Natchaug River (CT) This was my first ever SPACES event in my Young Marines career, and definitely one to remember. In the winter months I had planned on attending a SPACES event, but which one? I read the description of this event, and I immediately signed up for it. I expected this to be just a week about emergency preparedness, search and rescue tips, disaster relief and a few other things.This event was much more than I expected. After meeting Young Marines from all six divisions on the first day, I knew FEMA CERT Camp was going to be a blast. The first few days were full of hands-on learning and dis- covering ways to save lives. As the week came to an end, we took visited one of the most interesting museums I've ever been to,the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I learned about President Reagan playing football in college, to the vehicles he was transported in. Afterward, I reflected on this week and realized it was one of the best weeks in my life. I don't think I'll ever forget about it and how many op- portunities the Young Marines give me. [Editor’s Note: See our Online Edition for more articles and photos from the SPACES FEMA CERT Camp.] (SPACES) FEMA CERT Camp: Reflecting Upon What Was One of the Best Weeks of My Life YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT Online 3