Denise Lott

Detachment 1296 of the East Valley Marines has presented a check for $1800 to the East Valley Young Marines unit. This award will go toward defraying the cost for some of our local youth as they join in the Young Marines’ trip to Pearl Harbor, participating in the December 6 commemoration of that World War II attack; 2016 will be the 75th anniversary.

Young Marines are students, ages eight to 16. The mission of this organization is to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth programs for boys and girls that nurture and develop its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Last December more than 100 youth members of the Young Marines from across the country traveled to Pearl Harbor from December 5–7 to honor veterans in a very special way. The once-in-a-lifetime trip began with a beach cleanup day at Ft. Hays beach on Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay. The next day the Young Marines unveiled a memorial stone on the Memorial Walkway at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, the Punchbowl, and performed a wreath laying. The plaque on the stone reads “Young Marines, a National Youth Organization – Honoring the legacy of our Pacific campaign veterans through education and patriotic volunteerism.”

The trip culminated with the Young Marines leading the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Honolulu on December 7. They carried the banners of the 12 capital ships that were attacked. The parade’s objective was to honor the heroes and survivors of Pearl Harbor and World War II, to pay tribute to veterans, active duty military members and military families, to celebrate freedom and to keep in remembrance the heinous events of December 7, 1941.

Our East Valley Marines detachment in Sun Lakes appreciates the efforts of this youth group and will continue to lend its support.

The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.