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My oldest son joined the Young Marines in Sept 2001 after
we saw an advertisement on the local news station about it. We
were so impressed with the program that my husband and I soon
joined the staff as well. It has now been 7 years since that
day and our other 2 children are now involved making it a family
event that we all enjoy.
This program has taught my children to have pride in all they
do, to be leaders, respect older people, treat military veterans
with the utmost respect, and value our country. They know that
it is important to give of their time to help others. They work
hard for what they get and don't expect to be handed everything
for free.
They have been able to travel to California, Washington D.C.,
Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Chicago IL, and Canada
either with their unit or with the National Young Marine Program.
This is a wonderful program for all!
Ginger Nelson
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The Young Marines Program does teach you Honor, Courage, Commitment,
and also leadership. But with my experience with the Y.M. has
taught me that this group does not only teach you to stay away
from drugs, but to be more active with your community. I would
have never been able to participate in parades, fund-raisers,
or even understand the basics of self discipline. This program
encourages sociality by working as a team with not only your
specific unit but with other organizations as well. I remember
when my unit helped raise money to buy Boot-socks for the troops
in Iraq, everyone of us was so motivated and we accomplished
a lot that day. If your child is not in the program, try encouraging
them to join because this is not like the boy scouts were when
you join your automatically a boy scout, this really shows a
child first hand what it means to earn a title such as a Young
Marine.
Semper Fidelis
Rocky Mountain Young Marine
Pfc. Gonzales
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My son has been in Young Marines for over three years in Denver,
Colorado. He has had many exciting opportunities to serve his
unit and our community. I cannot say enough about the guidance
and direction he has received in the program. When he began bootcamp
our unit was under the direction of CO Nelson. It was apparent
to me from the parent's orientation meeting that this was going
to be an organized well run program. I have been so happy with
my son's growth since becoming a Young Marine. I never miss an
opportunity to brag about the program and recommend it to others.
The Nelson's brought a wealth of experience and understanding
of how the Young Marines program works for the benefit of all
the youth they come in contact with. I know they devoted countless
hours to the program and I feel we were blessed to have them
for as long as we did in Denver. My son has become a focused,
confident young man. He is planning on applying to the Air Force
Academy, and I believe this experience will help him stand out
in his application process.
Respectfully,
Sherrie and John Addante
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You would think a few thousand feet in the Rocky Mountains is
not a huge deal. For me, Y.M. Pvt. Angel Allen Young Marines
in Colorado, it was the hardest thing I was ever going to do.
Looking for a cure for heights was discovered on this glorious
day in August 2006. On the side of Humming Bird Trail in Jefferson
County Open Space, I could not take what I saw before me and
I broke down crying.
Walking up the trail I asked to see if Mrs. Nelson could hold
my hand. While walking up the trail Mrs. Nelson said "If
you turn your head and not look down it won't be so bad and we'll
be there faster". Hand in hand Mrs. Nelson and I walked
up the trail together and accomplished something big. When we
took the last step I felt amazing, I felt like I had overcome
the fear of heights.
By: Young Marine Pvt. Angel Allen
Mile High Young Marines
Aurora, Colorado 2006
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We want to extend our gratitude for your training, support, endurance
and hard work in support of our son, Nathaniel Lawrence. He joined
the Young Marines in January of 2004. He was a sophomore in High
School and was struggling with the many pressures that High school
kid's face. After he joined, his attitude, purpose and goal driven
personality came to life. He became more discipline, more responsible
and his whole orientation on life had deeper meaning. He studied,
learned to take initiative, became motivated and enthusiastic
and successfully worked hard enough to become a Staff Sergeant
in 2 years with Young Marines.
We want to say "THANK YOU" to CO Tim Nelson, his family,
and the staff for participating and caring enough to invest so
much time, skill and effort into our kids. You HAVE made a huge
difference and we are grateful.
Sincerely,
Martin and Jan Lawrence
Parents of a Young Marines SSGT.
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Staying out of trouble and away from drugs is as easy as
keeping busy.
The summer of 2006 the Young Marine group I am involved in (Mile
High Young Marines) took a trip to Washington D.C. to march in
the 4th of July parade. There were 13 of us Young Marines that
CO Nelson and XO Holland took. We worked very hard all year to
fund raise for this trip. We marched in the 4th of July Parade,
took a private tour of the Capitol and the Pentagon, then we
visited the Lincoln Memorial and Gettysburg. The most exciting
part of the trip was sleeping on the U.S.S. Taney. We got to
tour the ship and learn a lot of history about the ship. I hope
to go back to Washington someday and learn more and see more.
One week was not enough! The summer flew by way too fast. I was
happy though to be so involved that no outside temptations could
get me off track of my goals and future.
Y.M. Cp. Skyler Ratcliff
Mile High Young Marines
Aurora Colorado 2006
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The weather in the mountains of Colorado can be very dangerous
because it can change very fast. The temperature can drop below
freezing fast and it can dump up to 3 feet or more of snow in
one night. The Young Marines has taught me and the others in
my unit how to be prepared for an encampment in the winter. Even
when it is 10 degrees and snowing we have had a great time and
learned a lot. It is important to be prepared for a winter encampment.
You need to have a good shelter that will keep you dry, warm
clothes and basically the right equipment for winter weather.
Dryness and warmth are very important for your survival. Thanks
to my CO and XO I know I can survive in the winter in the Mountains.
Young Marine SSgt. Dean Nelson
Mile High Young Marines
Aurora, Colorado (2006)
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To kick this off, I feel any reader should know a bit about me.
I am a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps; currently
stationed with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines on Camp Hansen in
Okinawa, Japan. I have a deep love for my Country, my Corps,
and the Young Marines program. My fire was lit when I was only
five years old; you see, my grandfather was a Marine in the Korean
War. Ever since I knew that, my life's goal was to be a United
States Marine. Yes, at the age of five, I had a conviction to
follow my dreams to serve my country.
When I was 13, I called a Marine Recruiter to try to enlist.
His name was SSgt. Robinson. He told me I couldn't enlist until
I was 17, but he directed me to look into the Young Marines program.
I did so, and I found that Mr. Timothy Nelson was just starting
a unit in my area. Well not really in my area, but close enough.
I was accepted to the program and went through the recruit training
program, having my parents drive me an hour there and back every
Saturday just to participate.
Throughout my time in Junior and Senior High School, I stayed
involved with the Young Marines. I advance in rank over time
and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant with the Mile High Young
Marines in Aurora, Colorado. In the Fall of 2006, Mr. Nelson
was chosen as the 2d Midwest Battalion Commanding Officer; and
I, having formed a father-son like bond with Mr. Nelson went
into this new level of involvement with him. From the Fall of
2006 until August of 2007 I served as the Young Marine Sergeant
Major in charge of the Young Marines in Mr. Nelson's Battalion.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps on my 17th birthday, and after
my discharge from the program I began my even bigger adventure.
During my time as a Young Marine, the program gave me and my
fellow Young Marines the opportunity to take part in many things
that we would not have gotten otherwise. I participated in National
Academies and Schools, countless camping trips, drug and gang
awareness classes, and learned all about many things that are
sadly not taught in schools these days. The Young Marine program
taught me things that I have taken on beyond the program and
made myself a better person in life.
The Young Marines program is not a "boot camp for bad kids,"
nor does it constitute any sort of service in the US Armed Forces.
(I made that decision on my own.) If a child is having troubles
and is in the program, rest assured the adult staff and senior
Young Marines will do everything they can to help and support
their fellow Young Marine. I have personally seen many kids in
my unit make total 180 degree turn arounds. From being trouble
makers to role models, from failing classes to getting A's. Countless
times I have seen the program do amazing things for many people.
I love the Young Marine program, and I truly believe that if
it were not for this program I would not be half the man; or
half the Marine that I am today. If anyone has any questions
or anything about the program feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]
.
Semper Fidelis
Phillip M. Stover
LCpl, 3/12, USMC
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