Division 6 Young Marines

Strengthening the Lives of America's Youth ** * Young Marine 24/7
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Young Marine of the Year
Division 6 Young Marines of the Year

The Young Marine program not only helps our youth become better citizens within their communities - it helps build and instill leadership qualities that they will carry with them through any task or endeavor they may encounter.
 
Outlined below is a listing of the current & former Divison 6 Young Marines of the Year.  As each of these Young Marines will tell you - the Young Marine program has not only been an influential  part of their youth and development - but it has defined who they are today.
 
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2012 - YM GySgt Beth Abzun

LCpl Kenneth L. Worley Young Marines

         

 

          The Young Marines has had a significant impact on my life ever since I first laid my eyes upon them. I came to know the Young Marines in the winter of 2008, when my family was traveling to San Bernardino. I spotted a group of individuals in cammies and they immediately seized my attention, for the uniform speaks for its self. I obtain all kinds of information about the program. Thrilled by the Young Marines, I asked my father to seek further investigation about this program. In the summer of 2009, I joined the LCpl Kenneth L. Worley Young Marines in Norwalk, California.

 

          Becoming a Young Marine has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. It has been a rewarding experience not only for me but also my parents.  I dreamed of becoming the unit Young Marine of the Year and then advancing to the other levels. Now I am representing Division 6 Young Marines as the Division Young Marine of the Year. I believe that earning this title at a young age is a great opportunity. I would like to share with each Young Marine in the nation how valuable it is to belong to this program. I would want to continue impacting Young Marines across the nation, for I know that I’ve still got plenty of time to fulfill my dreams in this program.

 

          The Young Marines has defined my future. I am currently a freshman attending Downey High School in California. Upon the completion of Young Marines and high school, I wish to join the Air Force Academy and become an officer. I’d like pursue the career astronautical engineer or a perhaps an astrophysicist. The Young Marines have prepared me for my future. I know the road is hard, but with the help of God, my parents, and my fellow Young Marines I will make it.

 

YM/GySgt Beth Abzun

LCpl Kenneth L. Worley Young Marines

 

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2011 - YM MGySgt Jared Haeg
Tri-City Young Marines

     

Young Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Jared Haeg of the Tri City Young Marines represented the Divsion well as the 2011 Division Six Young Marine of the Year.  During his reign,  YM MGySgt Haeg was an influential part of the Divsion 6 Encampment held at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho during August, 2011.  The signficance of this event is that it was conduct at the same time the National Marine Corps League Convention was being held, also in Boise.  YM MGySgt Haeg, along with the Executive National Director, Michael Kessler and the 2012 National YMOY, had the opportunity to address menbers of the MCL and represented the Young Marine program withough flaw.   We wish YM MGySgt Haeg the best on his future endeavors.

 

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2010 - YM MGySgt James R. Durbin
Snake River Young Marines

       

When my Young Marine career started back in 2003, I had no idea that I would one day be selected as Division Young Marine of the Year.   After years of hard work and guidance from outstanding Senior and Advanced Young Marines and dedicated Adult Leaders I decided to embark on the journey to try to become Young Marine of the year.  After being notified I was selected as our Divisions YMOY I was immediately humbled and realized we can accomplish absolutely ANYTHING we set our minds to! Representing Division Six in 2010 gave me so many opportunities to teach and make an impact on SO many Young Marines not only in our Division but the entire nation, at the National Leadership Academies. I had the opportunity to spread our message across the nation and remind our youth to be “Young Marines 24/7!” With our combined efforts we have started and began starting many more Young Marine units in our Division. I have also had many inquiries from people interested in our program and have pointed them in the right direction to join our ranks. It has been an absolute pleasure to be your 2010 Division YM SgtMaj.   I will never forget what this program has done for me. It has taught me so much and prepared me for my future in the United States Marine Corps. It was great to be able to give back to this program and make a small but significant impact. Remember you are Young Marines 24/7 - never quit and never give up. Semper Fidelis   /s/ James R. Durbin.

 

YM Durbin entered the U.S. Marine Corps in June, 2011 and graduated from Fox Company, Series 2133 with honors on Septemer 2nd.  YM Durbin was the Series 2133 Guide and Company Honor Graduate.  We wish him safe journeys in his career ahead.  Semper Fi Marine .... job well done.

 

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2009 - YM MGySgt Shane Cassidy
Orange County Young Marines

              

Young Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Shane Cassidy, Jr. of Mission Viejo has been awarded the 6th Division Young Marine of the Year Award for 2009. Cassidy, 16, will now represent his division for the 2009 National Young Marine of the Year Award. The Mission Viejo High School junior has earlier earned an Outstanding Achievement Award as an Orange County Junior Firefighter, A Certificate of Achievement from Mission Viejo's Police Services and Orange County Sheriff's Department, and a Character Appreciation Certificate for services to Mission Viejo presented by the Mission Viejo Community Character Committee.

 

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2008 - YM MGySgt Garrett Brim
Columbia River Young Marines           ** 2008 National Young Marine of the Year **

                 

“The Young Marines provided me with a number of opportunities—for leadership, to travel, and to meet important people who make a difference—that I would never have had if I hadn’t joined.  This organization has shaped my life for the better,” said Garrett Brim, now a midshipman in the University of Idaho/Washington State University Naval ROTC Battalion.  Midshipman Brim begins his second year at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, majoring in Criminal Justice this fall.  He intends to enter the U.S. Marine Corps as a commissioned officer upon graduating in 2013.

 

The 2008-2009 National Young Marine of the Year was a proud member of the Columbia River Young Marines in Kennewick, Washington.  “You get out of this program what you put in.  You earn your rank and your ribbons and awards because of your commitment to your unit, your determination, and your hard work,” said Brim

 

As a member of Columbia River Young Marines, Brim participated in drug demand reduction activities, was an instructor in the unit’s boot camp for new recruits, participated in and helped to teach other Young Marines to perform color guard ceremonies, not to mention all the drill practices, and planning for training days four times a month.  He also helped make the famous Columbia River fund-raising car washes a success by selling tickets, and washing cars.  As a member of the Young Marines, Brim traveled to Canada, the East Coast, the Midwest, and California to participate in SPACES challenges, adventures, and all the leadership schools.  Brim served on the staff of leadership schools, too.  He was awarded a scholarship from the Young Marines to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence, and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.

 

Although Young Marines was a big part of Garrett’s life in middle school and high school, he maintained a 3.7 grade point average while enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, was on the cross country and track teams at Kennewick High School, and was captain of the cross country team for three years.  He also played the trumpet in the Kennewick High School marching band, jazz band, and wind ensemble.

 

In the competition for National Young Marine of the Year, Brim represented Division 6 as the Young Marine of the Year.  He and the other division Young Marines of the Year were able to travel with WWII veterans and their families to Iwo Jima for the 63rd Reunion of Honor.  This was a very significant trip for Brim; the courage and sacrifice of the veterans was made very real as he traveled with these men, listening to their stories and walking terrain they fought on.

 

The Young Marines helped prepare Brim the challenges of Naval ROTC and rigors of his college life—if he is not in class, he is studying, or doing PT, color guard, or community service.    “I credit my great experiences in Young Marines to the unit level leaders—Mrs. AloreJoe Lusignan, Mr. Bryon Carlson, Mr. John Haeg, and Mr. s Villanueva, Mr. Jeff Carlyle; to Mr. Mike Wilson at Division 6; and Mr. Mike Kessler and Mr. Joseph Bles at the National level.  Thank you.  Semper Fi!”