Retirement ceremony for Tri-State Young Marine
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WEIRTON -- Enrique T. Herrera, 18, a member of the Tri-State Young Marines, has reached the end of his time with the national youth organization for young people ages 8 to 18.
And what a time it's been, one of rich experiences, friendships fostered and life lessons learned.
As graduation from high school approaches, Young Marines also "graduate" from the program. An official retirement ceremony was held Jan. 22 at the Weirton VFW where Herrera was awarded an honorable discharge.
Herrera, the son of Hector and Christina Herrera of Follansbee and a senior at Brooke High School, joined the Young Marines in 2012 when he was11. Through hard work and perseverance, he advanced through the program, earning rank while completing several leadership schools, attending several summer camps and participating in veterans appreciation events such as the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Parade in Hawaii and Navajo Code Talkers Day in Arizona.
Herrera's Young Marine career culminated in his selection as the Division 1 Young Marine of the Year for 2018 and subsequent promotion to Young Marine Sergeant Major. Aside from serving as a leader and mentor for Young Marines in a 10-state area, Sgt Maj. Herrera was awarded the opportunity to visit Guam and Iwo Jima, which were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
In addressing his peers and others Jan. 22, Herrera encouraged his fellow Young Marines to stay focused on their goals and work hard in the program, and they, too, will go places in the Young Marines. Herrera plans to focus on his remaining months at high school with his sights set on attending West Virginia University this fall where he will study political science.
The Young Marines is a national nonprofit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age 8 through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 264 units with 8,950 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.
For information, visit the official website at www.YoungMarines.com.