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thedrifter
03-07-07, 01:46 PM
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Teen leaders emerge from Young Marines

by Jeri Packer
Voice staff writer

Spending the summer at a Civil War Adventure or Space Academy or learning survival techniques at a winter encampment might not be for everyone, but taking part in activities like these are what make the Young Marines of Port Huron stand out.

Not to be confused with the national branch of the armed services, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Young Marines is an organized effort by the USMC to build teen leaders and reduce drug use among boys and girls age eight through high school graduation. The non-profit program, called Youth Drug Demand Reduction, focuses on "character building, leadership, and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle."

According to the National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., over 300 units in 42 states nationwide and overseas meet once or twice a week. They currently have 12,000 youth and 3,000 volunteers involved in the Young Marines.

There are 27 Young Marines currently involved in the Port Huron unit from Marine City, St. Clair, Port Huron, Jeddo, Goodells, Kimball, Smiths Creek and even from Manchester in Washtenaw County.

Young Marines can be found marching every year in the Port Huron, Marysville and Marine City Memorial Day parades. This year they will also be in parades in St. Clair, Lexington and Emmett.

Recently, at the Feb. 1 Marine City municipal meeting, a group of Young Marines executed a flag ceremony called "presenting the colors" at the beginning of the meeting.

Marine City Mayor George Bukowski was impressed with the group when he became acquainted with them five years ago and continues to support their efforts.

"It is a good organization and provides discipline for young men and women," he said.

Deborah Ritter, Unit Commander for the Young Marines, said the group is always willing to participate in events.

"If we're invited to come, we go," she said. She and her husband, John, reside in Marysville and are both active in the program.

She has been involved in the program for 24 years and said she won't be quitting anytime soon.

"The day I stop learning from these young people is the day I'll stop volunteering," she said.

Ritter believes it can take more than the immediate family to help today's youth escape the pitfalls of growing up in the world today.

"Kids need to have a diverse group of meaningful people in their lives, besides their family, supplying discipline in their lives," she said. "The kids are looking for leadership and guidance. Discipline is like a sanctuary for them."

She explained that rules at weekly meetings are consistent, and children know mis-behavior is not tolerated, but they also know that, if they work hard, they will be given every opportunity to achieve their highest goals.

"We don't cut them any slack," she said. "We challenge their minds and bodies. We tell them what they do is limited only by their own abilities."

The group goes through four physical fitness tests a year and a Drug Demand Resistance course three times a year.

"We bring in experts," said Ritter, "like drug dogs, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, National Guard."

Local branches of the Young Marines are lead by volunteers, many of whom are retired from the military, like Deborah Ritter's husband, John Ritter, who serves as Regiment Commander for the group. Ritter was active in the Marines and the Army for 22 years and has been involved in the Young Marines for 28 years, but his goal is not recruiting future soldiers.

"We're not recruiters," he said. "We give them the tools they need. They know what they need to do. A large number of them go on to college."

Ritter said unit leaders use tough love to help children learn personal responsibility.

One Young Marine remembered John Ritter's words of advice when he quit the program and got into drugs: "There's only one person responsible for what you do and that's you." Now, according to Deborah Ritter, the youth is back on track and helping other kids.

John Ritter leads a 10-day Senior Leadership School once a year in California and also heads up a winter encampment in Jeddo.

After graduation from a 13-week basic training, and one year in the program, Young Marines are able to attend events like the encampment and the summer programs offered by the national headquarters.

Basic training involves studying history, close order drill, physical fitness, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure.

"They are taught the Marine Corps philosophy relevant to leadership," said Deborah Ritter, "We don't handle weapons."

There is a $50 dues fee to join the group and a $30 annual fee. The group meets once a week at the American Legion #449 on 299 E. Huron in Marysville.

Ruth Moehlman is president of the Parent Support Group and helps raise donations for the many activities offered to the Young Marines.

"I go to businesses and ask them to support my kids," she said. "Everything we do - 100 percent goes to the children," she said. "We work real hard at fund-raising."

Each year at the Maritime Days festival in Marine City, the Young Marines set up a tent, where sponsors let the children in the program do most of the talking.

"We like to let the kids speak for themselves and tell people what the program is and why they like the program," said Moehlman.

Her grandson, Sgt. Derek Van DeWarker, chose to be in the program five years ago when he was 9 years old. He's been to Washington D.C., Boston, and at the site of the 9/11 plane crash sites in New York and the Pentagon.

"We send these kids all over," said Moehlman.

Van DeWarker's rank as sergeant makes him responsible to "advise Young Marines and pass on orders from higher up." He is hoping to earn a scholarship for college through his involvement in the Young Marines.

According to Moehlman, children in the program get credit for activities like outside sports and community service.

"Their paperwork follows them," she said, referring to the documentation that will show on their resumes when Young Marines are old enough to seek out careers.

Corporal Joshua Wurfel joined the Young Marines when he was 11 years old. At 15, he is now a platoon sergeant and leads drills, which can be challenging when the group is competing with other units, he said. Being in the group has changed his life for the better, he said, but he didn't see it that way at first.

"At first it's tough on you and you don't like it, but if you stay long enough, it helps more than you think," he said. "Now I get better grades in school and I stopped goofing around."

Wurfel is planning on joining the Marines when he graduates from high school.

St. Clair County District Judge Cynthia Platzer first saw the Young Marines at a parade.

"I was so impressed with what I saw in every one of those kids, how they carried themselves, down to the littlest ones," she said.

As a judge, she said she was struck by the maturity she observed in the Young Marines, compared to many of the young people she witnesses daily in her courtrooms who don't seem to have any direction.

"They exude a confidence not seen in kids these days," she said. "They have self-discipline and direction and think nothing of giving back to their community."

She commended the unit leadership for being positive role models for the children.

"These kids can go anywhere they want to go," she said. "They have structure, which is so needed with kids these days."

For more information on the Young Marines, call the Ritters at (810) 364-4218.

Ellie