Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 9 By YM/SSgt Drezden Hicks Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office As many of you know , parts of Louisiana were devastated by massive flooding. In August 2016, the state experienced heavy rainfall that resulted in homes and property being lost and even the loss of life. The response from the community and throughout the country was tremendous in helping dis- placed families. Fortunately, we at JPSO were not directly affected. However, there was at least one YM unit in the state that was affected. So we thought,“What can we do?”After all,the Young Marines are about community service and helping those in need. The areas affected were getting assistance with food, water, hous- ing etc. We decided to concentrate our efforts on one of the harder hit parishes. (That’s “county” to everybody else outside the state of Louisiana.) That parish was Tangipahoa Parish. Our unit began to col- lect children’s backpacks and all types of school supplies. Most of the donations came directly from our very own Young Marines. We collected a total of 79 backpacks, all filled with school supplies. In addition, several store gift cards were do- nated and added to the backpacks. Arrangements were made to deliver the items to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Of- fice. 1st Louisiana Regimental CO Williams, Unit Commander Bolds, and Unit Commander DiLeo delivered the donations to Unit Commander Kevin Bosage of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office Young Marines.TPSO Unit Commander Bosage accepted the donations and his Young Marines unit will dis- tribute them to the most needy in the community. We helped out the community, and also got to work with and help out our Young Marines brothers and sisters. That is truly what it is all about. JPSO : We Helped Louisiana Flood Disaster Relief Efforts Young Marines: We Learn the Importance of Giving Back By YM/MSgt Dev Patel LCpl Caleb Powers (VA) As youth, our ability to give back is often limited. Yet, we must know that giving back is not impossible. I had the op- portunity to meet and speak to a member of my community who encourages youth to help: Mrs. Ellwanger, who is the local sponsor for The American Red Cross Youth Team, and her efforts that have allowed for me and many others to give back. According to Mrs. Ellwanger, there is one duty we all have: “Service. Service is the single greatest act one person can commit. We have a responsibility to each other.” With this commitment, Ellwanger and the youth team orga- nized and implemented a blood drive in our local high school. With this commitment, Mrs. Ellwanger and the youth team organized a massive donation effort for the local emergency fund. It is these acts that show the importance of community service. Mrs. Ellwanger does not have to sponsor and support these selfless endeavors. She does not have to commit her time. Yet she supports the endeavors of children who wish to give back.We should all strive to give the time and effort that men and women like Mrs. Ellwanger give. We have a commit- ment to others, and we should fulfill that commitment in its entirety. By YM/LCpl Ryker Grove Cross Roads (TX) I am 11 years old and student at Nazarene Chris- tian Academy. I have been a member of Cross Roads (TX) Young Marines for 3 years. I love the Young Marines Program because it taught me dis- cipline, teamwork, courage, and leadership. I’ve learned about history,to love our country and honor our veterans. I have also learned responsi- bility as a leader. Even though I am still young, I can make a difference if I study hard and have a good attitude. Some of the most exciting things we have done include meeting the Navajo Code Talk- ers in Arizona, performing color guard for the Marine Corps Ball and helping with the Big Spring Pow Wow. We also stay busy collecting items for the troops and helping our community. I plan to stay in the Young Marines and do the best I can as a member un- til I graduate, when I hope to join the United States Marine Corps. YM/LCpl Ryker Grove gives speech at the Daughters of American Revolution on being a Young Marine. “I Plan to Stay in the Young Marines, and Do the Best I Can” MY YM UNIT