Sylmar Fire Recognition

            On October 4th a small cadre from the Temecula Valley Young Marines that are still active in the Young Marines organization were asked by Brigadier General Bliss (USA, Ret.) to attend the 100th anniversary of the Carlsbad Army Navy Academy. According to Sgt. Major Perkins the Young Marines and staff were there to receive special recognition for their help in last years, Sylmar fire assistance. The small cadre had been given special VIP seating as the ceremony took place. It was interesting to see how another Youth Organization with a military affiliation does things. The time came and General Bliss took his place. Before the announcer read off the Young Marines names she read a letter from General Bliss as copied below:
“During the 2008-2009 school year, two academy cadets, Frankie Perkins and Cole Jackson, worked with Cadet Perkins father on an emergency. The basis was to develop and execute a community service project to help more than 1,000 senior citizens living in a mobile home community in the Los Angeles area who had lost their homes in a devastating fire storm.
Early in their planning, they realized that the logistics of their undertaking required short lines of communication and considerable manpower. For this reason, the cadets contacted the Temecula Valley Young Marines to see if they would be able to assist. The response to their request was overwhelming with more than a dozen Young Marines and their adult leaders volunteering to help.
The Army Navy/TVYM team spent considerable time over a long weekend at the mobile home facility assisting residents in reclaiming personal belongings and effects from their burned out homes. They also made considerable efforts to clean up the buildings and grounds which had been ravaged by fire.
The Cadets and Young Marines presence raised the morale of the victims of the fire and earned them the lasting gratitude of the inhabitants and site manager for their efforts. Their exemplary conduct reflected great credit on the Army and navy Academy and the Young Marines organization and on the young men and women who participated.
We pause today to honor their support to those who needed their help we commend all of these volunteers for their efforts and thank them for their service. Ladies and Gentlemen please give a round of applause”. The announcer then called forward:

Young Marines:
1st Sgt. Joshua Guiles
MSgt. Nicholas Guiles
GySgt. Joshua Currier
Cpl. Brady Redick
Cpl. Eli Talbert
Cpl. Anissa Tashoff
Cpl. Azalea Tashoff
Young Marine Adult Leaders:
Commanding Officer Michael Guiles
Unit Adjutant Stephanie Guiles
Unit Mentor Joshua Smith
Unit Historian Deanna Tashoff

From the Army Navy Academy:
Cadet/Lt. Frankie Perkins
Cadet/Lt Cole Jackson

Army Navy Adult Leader:
Sgt. Major Fred Perkins (Ret.)

As their names were called each Young Marine approached the General saluted and announced “Young Marine” reporting as ordered sir. The General gave each Young Marine , and Adult Leader a certificate. Each Adult Leader and Young Marine took their place behind the General , . The Cadets were called up and given their certificates as well, when the ceremony was over the General and Young Marines all took a picture together. After the ceremony the CO was informed that as long as they could remember their has never been another organization invited to the academy nor have they received awards from the academy. The Young Marines felt even more honored than before the General invited the Young Marines to chow at the academy’s mess hall and a tour of the school , , . The Young Marines did both, it was a great day and one that the Young Marines should be proud of we commend them all.

At the end of the ceremony the CO was given a copy of a letter written by the Sylmar mobile home park manager. The manager stated that the Young Marines and cadets arrived armed with shovels, gloves, rakes, water and masks. A resident commented noted “it appears the Marines have landed", the entire letter can read below.

Outstanding job Young Marines as well as the Carlsbad Army/Navy Academy Cadets

You can view a samlpe of General Bliss' certificate here

You can view photos on the unit’s photo page

You can view the letter from the Sylmar mobile home facility manager here