thedrifter
02-03-06, 01:39 PM
Young Marines open Clovis club
Girls, boys will learn skills, earn uniform ribbons, do community service projects
By Graham Moes / Independent Staff Writer
Published 02/03/06 00:00:00
A boy in Marine fatigues stands shoulder to shoulder at attention with his mates but can't keep a grin from breaking across his face as a real Marine returning from duty overseas comes over to shake his hand.
The scene above, depicted on the cover of "Young Marine Esprit" magazine, took place in Washington state, not Clovis. But that defining moment and many like it — holiday parades, wilderness ropes courses, visits to historic places and government VIPs — will happen here soon if George Dillon has anything to say about it.
The retired Marine Force Recon sergeant has just helped launch the area's first Young Marines unit with two other veterans, and they're still looking for a few good men. And women.
"I feel very lucky to be an American citizen, and the Marines specifically treated me very well," the combat-wounded veteran explains on why he wanted to be part of the group that, since 1958, has grown to more than 11,000 participants from 46 states and overseas.
The Clovis/Fresno unit's first open house last week for community-minded boys and girls age 8 to 18 brought in around eight interested recruits.
Like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, this group is all about molding young hearts and minds through activities, sports, camping and hiking, service projects and classes on everything from fire safety to eating right.
Unlike the scouts, the Young Marines are officially affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps much the way the Sea Scouts are with the Navy. It will operate under a temporary charter from and close watch of the Corps until it has proven itself worthy of the name.
Still... "It's not like ROTC," Dillon says. "A primary goal is to just have fun."
Instead of merit badges, Young Marines earn ribbons worn on the uniform to indicate progress and accomplishments.
"Community service is really big with us," Dillon says. "We may host a car wash, help with Toys for Tots or visit a seniors home. Or an older couple may need yard work, and we'll say 'No problem, We'll take care of it.' "
By way of example, that same Esprit magazine tells of a Bronx unit braving the darkness of the power failure that ended their meeting to help apartment residents home with flashlights.
Dillon's new recruits will begin 26 hours of "boot camp" together, largely instruction on core values, uniform standards, how to march and the like.
It costs $140 to start, largely for the uniforms, and $20 per year after, though Dillon says no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
The Clovis Young Marines will eventually meet eight hours per month at the Marine Corp Reserve facilities near the Fresno airport, progressing in rank from recruit to sergeant major over the years.
Dillon — wounded in the head and leg when his advance unit surprised North Vietnamese regulars on a remote hill in 1966 — has no problem instilling the Corps' ideals of fortitude, courage and devotion to God, family, country and community into young minds.
"Marines are fighting in Iraq for the same reason we fought in Vietnam and for the same reason we fought in World War II and World War I — to uphold our values," Dillon says.
"We're not trying to turn out young warriors here," he says, though a large percentage of Young Marines do go on to join the Corp.
"Old fashioned virtues have gone out the window somewhere," Dillon says. "If we can take these kids and teach them these things, we can put them on the path to becoming some pretty good citizens."
New recruits may still make the upcoming boot camp by joining before the Feb. 4 deadline. Adult leaders are still welcome as well.
Details: 298-9719, www.clovisyoungmarines.org or www.youngmarines.com.
Ellie
Girls, boys will learn skills, earn uniform ribbons, do community service projects
By Graham Moes / Independent Staff Writer
Published 02/03/06 00:00:00
A boy in Marine fatigues stands shoulder to shoulder at attention with his mates but can't keep a grin from breaking across his face as a real Marine returning from duty overseas comes over to shake his hand.
The scene above, depicted on the cover of "Young Marine Esprit" magazine, took place in Washington state, not Clovis. But that defining moment and many like it — holiday parades, wilderness ropes courses, visits to historic places and government VIPs — will happen here soon if George Dillon has anything to say about it.
The retired Marine Force Recon sergeant has just helped launch the area's first Young Marines unit with two other veterans, and they're still looking for a few good men. And women.
"I feel very lucky to be an American citizen, and the Marines specifically treated me very well," the combat-wounded veteran explains on why he wanted to be part of the group that, since 1958, has grown to more than 11,000 participants from 46 states and overseas.
The Clovis/Fresno unit's first open house last week for community-minded boys and girls age 8 to 18 brought in around eight interested recruits.
Like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, this group is all about molding young hearts and minds through activities, sports, camping and hiking, service projects and classes on everything from fire safety to eating right.
Unlike the scouts, the Young Marines are officially affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps much the way the Sea Scouts are with the Navy. It will operate under a temporary charter from and close watch of the Corps until it has proven itself worthy of the name.
Still... "It's not like ROTC," Dillon says. "A primary goal is to just have fun."
Instead of merit badges, Young Marines earn ribbons worn on the uniform to indicate progress and accomplishments.
"Community service is really big with us," Dillon says. "We may host a car wash, help with Toys for Tots or visit a seniors home. Or an older couple may need yard work, and we'll say 'No problem, We'll take care of it.' "
By way of example, that same Esprit magazine tells of a Bronx unit braving the darkness of the power failure that ended their meeting to help apartment residents home with flashlights.
Dillon's new recruits will begin 26 hours of "boot camp" together, largely instruction on core values, uniform standards, how to march and the like.
It costs $140 to start, largely for the uniforms, and $20 per year after, though Dillon says no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
The Clovis Young Marines will eventually meet eight hours per month at the Marine Corp Reserve facilities near the Fresno airport, progressing in rank from recruit to sergeant major over the years.
Dillon — wounded in the head and leg when his advance unit surprised North Vietnamese regulars on a remote hill in 1966 — has no problem instilling the Corps' ideals of fortitude, courage and devotion to God, family, country and community into young minds.
"Marines are fighting in Iraq for the same reason we fought in Vietnam and for the same reason we fought in World War II and World War I — to uphold our values," Dillon says.
"We're not trying to turn out young warriors here," he says, though a large percentage of Young Marines do go on to join the Corp.
"Old fashioned virtues have gone out the window somewhere," Dillon says. "If we can take these kids and teach them these things, we can put them on the path to becoming some pretty good citizens."
New recruits may still make the upcoming boot camp by joining before the Feb. 4 deadline. Adult leaders are still welcome as well.
Details: 298-9719, www.clovisyoungmarines.org or www.youngmarines.com.
Ellie