An Honorable Discharge

There are different types of Young Marines some Young Marines love the Young Marines program so much that they stay with the organization for years and when they have to finally retire they are sometimes asked to join the staff of their unit. Other Young Marines go as far as they can and accomplish much and give to their unit as much as they can and sometimes beyond. But eventually life and their dreams can catch up to the Young Marines. On Sunday, June 1st, 2008 we said farewell to an outstanding Young Marine and one of our senior corpsman. Young Marine Sgt. Amber Fitzpatrick left our unit’s ranks today. Sgt. Fitzpatrick never waivered and she was a true Young Marine to the end on Saturday May 31st she ran her PFT and motivated her Young Marines never letting on what she had already coordinated with the CO Guiles and the unit’s Adjutant. On Sunday Sgt. Fitzpatrick was at drill again to help with the Young Marines who needed to makeup their PFT’s and to teach basic Young Marine classes.

YM/Sgt. Fitzpatrick joined our unit in February 2005 from recruit class 06-05, Sgt. Fitzpatrick was the recruit class guide, Honor Recruit and graduated as a Meritorious PFC. Since her time in the Young Marines Sgt. Fitzpatrick has enjoyed many adventures with her unit and as a unit Corpsman her skills were invaluable. Sgt. Fitzpatrick recently represented her unit at the United Nations Women’s summit. It is a sad day when the Commanding Officer must say farewell to an outstanding Young Marine but just as in the Marine Corps life has a way of stepping in and the Young Marine must make their first adult decision to leave something they love to do. Young Marine Sgt. Fitzpatrick is an active Softball player, she is concentrating heavily this year on her final grades for college acceptance and she is jumping into the great adventure of working life. Sgt. Fitzpatrick thought long and hard about her decision and it must have been one of the hardest for her to accept. Sgt. Fitzpatrick asked CO Guiles for and honorable discharge. She did not think it would be fair for her to be enrolled and still be a Young Marine because she would only be able to attend drills maybe once or twice every two or three months. CO Guiles understood and honored her request. Sgt. Fitzpatrick was called up in front of CO Guiles today for her discharge , . The CO asked if she would like to say a few words to her Young Marines. She said, “Yes sir,” and with an about face she spoke to her Young Marines one last time . At the request of Young Marine 1st Sgt. Guiles she ceremoniously handed over her unit one (Corpsman kit) , and her security force badge to Young Marine LCpl. Masters , . The CO and Mr. Boudreau gave Sgt. Fitzpatrick her final salute and she posted in front of the Security Force one last time . At the end of drill Sgt. Fitzpatrick said goodbye to all of her Young Marines in the Security Force Platoon . As the CO always says to those leaving “Fair Winds and following seas” to you Young Marine Sgt. Fitzpatrick. May your life’s adventures be a happy journey for you.

Thank you for your honorable service to the Temecula Valley Young Marines.

Semper Fi,