On 4 July 2007, the Temecula Valley Young Marines marched in the city's annual Independence Day Parade. Everyone was in the parade from Miss Temecula and classic cars to politicians and civil war reenactment (first place marchers). Some of the special guests were Temecula Mayor Chuck Washington, Temecula Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Naggar, Temecula Council Member MaryAnn Edwards, Temecula Council Member Ron Roberts, Congressman Darrell Issa, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, Assembly member Kevin Jeffries and the Murrieta City Council. The Temecula Valley Young Marines were between Congressman Darrell Issa and the Veterans of Foreign wars post 4089. A news reporter with the Press Enterprise filmed the parade and a 20 second interview with Young Marine PFC. Katie Byers http://www.pe.com/video/index.html?nvid=156516. Before the parade stepped off Mrs. Aguilar asked Congressman Issa if he would mind taking a picture with the Young Marines after the parade. Congressman Issa jumped out of his car and said why don't we do it now. Young Marine 1stSgt. Aguilar formed up the Company and introduced Congressman Issa who then put the Young Marines at ease. Congressman Issa talked with the Young Marines for a while, he asked a few questions to the Young Marines and they asked a few of him 
, 
, 
. He told the Young Marines that he is a former Army Captain and now works in Congress and how he is proud to know the Temecula Valley Young Marines. Congressman Issa said he couldn’t wait for our unit deployment to Washington, DC and if time permits maybe he could take the Young Marines on a tour of the Library of Congress where he has an office. We had a few minutes left before the parade moved and the Temecula Valley Young Marines took a company photo with Congressman Issa 
, 
.
As the unit stepped off in formation the Color Guard was in form with YM/Sgt's Amber Fitzpatrick and Noelani Hedlund along with LCpl Jenna Fitzpatrick and PFC John Masters 
. Next, were the CO, XO and our Unit LO Mrs. Aguilar carrying the unit’s banner 
. YM/GySgt. Joshua Guiles took the place of the CO in the front of the unit While YM/1stSgt. Aguilar with her sword highly polished, marched the Company down Old Town Temecula 
. As the unit entered Old Town in Temecula's Parade, announcer Geoffrey Gaier announced to the crowd how much the Temecula Valley Young Marines means to him and that they have a special place in his heart 
, 
. He told everyone how the Young Marines participate in the Relay for Life every year and how we were the “world famous” Temecula Valley Young Marines and this year’s winners of the National Unit of the Year Award. The crowd went crazy and cheered even louder. Following the Company were Young Marines LCpl. Aguilar, J, PFC. Byers and Pvt. Munoz. PFC. Byers and Pvt. Munoz each carried an American flag while LCpl Aguilar carried two properly folded American flags that had served their country and were turned in to be retired 
. This Parade was the last parade and march for these two American flags; they will be properly retired in a future ceremony. The last section of the unit formation was the unit adjutant Mrs. Guiles and former Young Marine, LCpl. Brian Aguilar. In case of any Young Marine or civilian emergencies Mrs. Guiles had two unit Corpsmen and a member of the security force with her 
.
The Crowd was excited every time when they saw the Young Marines marching down the main street. They stood up and removed their hats for the Color Guard 
, 
. The Young Marines heard comments like: “Thank you!” “You look great!” “You make us feel proud!” As the CO looked to his right he saw a Korean War veteran stand up with a tear in his eye and lip quivering, the old Marine raised his hand, waved and said, “Semper Fi.” The CO who usually does not say anything or even wave in the parade gave the Marine a wave and returned with “Semper Fi” and a nod. It goes to show that no matter how old you are no matter how long you have been out of the Marines, you will always be Marines and will always shows respect to each other.
The parade moved into its final length when YM/1stSgt. Aguilar called eyes right and all of the Young Marines in first and Second Squads looked to the right and presented arms to the Mayor of Temecula and the Judges 
, 
. The command was given and the Young Marines turned their heads forward. The CO was amazed because the entire unit stayed in step. We rounded our last turn and the crowd went crazy! The Color Guard did a left turn and everyone was standing. There was no one sitting down. They cheered and clapped and fell over each other as they took pictures of the Young Marines. The unit marched straight on and followed the CO into a dirt lot where he congratulated them and told them how they all looked great. They all drank water until the CO was convinced they had taken in enough and rehydrated. The unit came to attention and on they marched, one last time to the designated meeting and sign-out location. The proud parents came to sign their Young Marines out and congratulated them for doing such a great job! The Young Marines performed well on this 4th of July event and maintained in 103 degree weather. The Young Marines were later acknowledged as one of the best marching groups in the parade. They were awarded 2nd place for marchers. Way to go Young Marines, you were outstanding Ooh-Rah!
