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The Young Marines is the official youth program of the Marine Corps League. Founded in 1958
to promote the mental, moral and physical development of young Americans, the Young Marines offer a variety of activities
specifically designed to develop greater self-esteem, discipline and self-confidence in its members. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion
of high school. The Young Marines strengthens the lives of America's youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence,
academic achievement, honoring our veterans, good citizenship, community service, and a healthy drug-free lifestyle through The Young Marines offer a variety of adventurous opportunities and training while maintaining
a focus on a healthy, drug free lifestyle. All Young Marines make a personal pledge to be drug free and work hard to encourage
family, friends and schoolmates to share in their Commitment. Young Marines Units nationwide place drug demand reduction efforts
at the forefront of their training.The Young Marines is the proud recipient of the Department of Defence very first Fulcrum
Shield Award for excellence in youth anti-drug programs. Character building, is also one of the most important objectives of the Young Marine program,
and all of its activities emphasize the importance of honesty, courage, respect, loyalty, dependability, and a sense of devotion
to God, country, community and family. Physical Fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and respect for one's body are important tenets of the
Young Marines. In July of 1993, the United States Marine Corps officially designated the Young Marines program
as the focal organization for fulfilling its participation in the Department of Defenses drug demand reduction activities.
This past year has been a successful and very busy year for Shenandoah Valley’s The Colonel Wesley Fox Young Marines
program. Our Young Marine participants were able to meet the President’s Own Marine Band, with two being honored
to take private lessons from the band members. They took part in the 4-H public speaking and presentation contest where three
were able to move on to districts. The Young Marines were invited as guests with MOH Recipient, Col. Wesley L. Fox, at
VMI for a day and were given special instruction on performing Color Guard drills. Took part in Washington
DC’s first Memorial Day parade in 60 years . One Young Marine attended the Civil War Adventure Camp. This camp is an educational program designed to stimulate
an interest and respect for the history and traditions of the United States by providing attendee’s an opportunity to
visit Civil War battlefields in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. The Adventure
includes one day in Washington, D.C. and highlighted by viewing the Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington,
Virginia. Another Young Marine traveled to Marseilles, IL for The Junior Leadership School, a leadership program designed
to help Junior Young Marines develop their interpersonal and leadership skills. Instruction includes in-depth discussion on
the definition of leadership, leadership principles and traits. It also provides introduction to the Young Marine five leadership
steps, conduct of close order drill, and unit physical training. The school's goal is to prepare the Young Marine for junior
leadership positions in their units, schools, and communities. Two Young Marines went to Valley Forge, PA for the 2005 Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference. The four-day
program allows participating students the opportunity to interact with experts on current issues of citizenship, tour the
Philadelphia and Valley Forge historic sites and participate in seminars designed to develop leadership skills and deepen
the participants understanding of the value of community service. The foundation of American democracy and the elements of
the free enterprise system are also explored through thought provoking lectures and experiential workshops. Five members attended Division Encampment at Camp Dawson Army base in West Virginia. The Colonel Wesley Fox Young Marines also provided Color Guard for Country Singer/actor Randy Travis, and again at the
Freedom Alliance Gala for Gen. Tommy Franks and Col. Oliver North, Travel to Wilmington Delaware to be the Color Guard for
a Medal of Honor Ceremony, Massing of the Colors in Richmond, and numerous other veteran related events. One Young Marine won the Local Rotary The Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Speech Contest. He move on to Districts were
he place 2nd out of 110 students. In March of 2006 he travels to NC. for the regional competition
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