Any of the Old "Young Marines"

[CAS3]

Attention on Deck!

First, Hello to all who can remember who I am!
Second, I am on a mission!

I am a memeber of the Brass City Detatchment of the Marine Corps League in Waterbury CT and as you shall see from the history posted directly from the Young Marines website (below) we had the first chapter of the Young Marines.

Currently, we are looking to hold a 50th reunion and would like to find former Young Marines from the chapter.
Please email me at casullivan3@aol.com or go to http://www.orgsites.com/ct/bcmdmcl/ and contact any current officer.
We would like to know how many of the old timers can come back for a reunion and what dates would they be available.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Semper Fi
Colleen

1958: First Young Marine Unit (Young Marines of Waterbury) formed in
Waterbury, CT by members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine
Corps League.

1960: Young Marines of Waterbury grow to 300 Young Marines and 20
adult instructors.

1962: The Young Marines program grows to over 1500 boys in 10 cities
and towns and gains national attention.

1965: Officially chartered on October 17, 1965 by the Marine Corps League
and becomes a national youth program. October 17, 1965 is the official
birthday of the Young Marines.

1974: Chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League.

1975: Membership is extended to females.

1977: Young Marines governing body is elected and the Young Marines
National By-laws are adopted.

1978: National By-laws approved at the Marine Corps League.

1980: Young Marines granted not-for-profit status as a youth educational
organization by the Internal Revenue Service classification of 501(c) 3.

1993: Young Marines grow to 1,000 Young Marines and 300 adults in 45 units
and becomes the focal point for the U.S. Marine Youth Drug Demand
Reduction Program.

1995: Young Marines become international with units forming in
Okinawa, Japan.

1999: Young Marines Board of Directors hire retired Lieutenant Colonel
Michael Kessler as the first National Executive Director. First Young Marine
Unit is formed in Alaska.

2000: Young Marines program expands to over 200 units in 38 States
with over 11,000 Young Marines and nearly 2,000 adult volunteers.

2000: Young Marines participate in Youth Restoration Corps project
along the Russian River in Alaska restoring Salmon Habitat.

2001: Summer Program of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments,
and Schools (SPACES) is introduced with over 3,300 Young Marines
participating.

2001: Young Marine units are formed at U.S. bases in Germany for
military dependents.

Young Marines introduce the first annual: Young Marines Veterans Appreciation Week.

This continues to be an annual one-week tribute each November

2002: An affiliation formed between the Young Marines and the
Australian Young Marines.

The Young Marines officially adopt a new motto:

"Strengthening the lives of America's youth".

2002: Young Marines join with Army Cadets from Canada, United
Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden in its first cultural foreign
exchange program.

The Young Marines welcome a very special new
member to its ranks, Chester, our puppy bulldog mascot.

2003: The Young Marines officially introduce their new celebrity spokesperson,
R. Lee Ermey.

2004: Eleven Young Marines travel to the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, along with veterans of that battle, to commemorate the famous flag raising by the Marines at Mount Siribachi. Young Marine members have returned to Iwo Jima on an annual basis every year since.

2005: The Young Marines celebrates their 40th anniversary of receiving their official charter.

[thedrifter]

Good to see You Colleen

Will make this a Stickey that it don't get lost in some of the mumble jumbo of posts we get....

Ellie

[jinelson]

OORAH!!! Colleen its great to see ya girl.

Jim

[ChaosGyrine]

Hello! I am the Executive Officer of the Lilac City Young Marine unit in Spokane, WA. I once asked our National HQ if they had "tracked" the careers, accomplishments, etc. of former Young Marines. Unfortunately, in the past the program was very small and they just didn't have the manpower or technology to track such data. However, many of the volunteers within the program were once Young Marines themselves. And as with all things Marine..the bonds of friendship forged over years of involvement with the Young Marine program still continue for a great many people that are still involved.

If you haven't already, try contacting Joe Bles (Inspector General of the Young Marines), or Janell Johnson (Public Relations). Mr. Bles is an "old timer" in the Young Marine program and may have info. Mrs. Johnson, I'm sure, would be thrilled to get the Young Marines involved in, or at least do a story on a reunion of the "Founding unit".

Feel free to email me at Lilac_City_YM@comcast.net if you have any questions or if I can be of any further assistance.

Semper Fi!

[DCYMCO]

Hi Coleen

I'm not an "old" Young Marine, in fact, I'm the CO of the Douglas County Young Marines in Colorado. I would be very interested in hearing about anything you get going with that reunion. I'd like to pass it along to my Young Marines.

Semper Fi

[CAS3]

FYI

We are looking for Waterbury CT Young Marines only...
Thank you