9 Years of dedication

The Temecula valley Young Marines celebrated the "hail and farewell" to Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Joshua Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles. The Unit also said said farewell to CO Michael Guiles and welcomed in GySgt. Sean Smothers as their fourth Unit Commander in nine years.

The Unit meet at the Murrieta Community center at 1800, as everyone setup the auditorium Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles marched their Young Marines around for the last time. as the Young Marines entered CO Guiles pulled Young Marines aside that had been chosen for the flag ceremony. After a few rehearsals CO Guiles, GySgt. Smothers and Young Marines Sgt.Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles and 1stSgt. Currier all headed outside to setup for their final march on, CO Guiles and the others setup outside the auditorium while the Color guard was assembled.

When the word was given CO Guiles, GySgt. Smothers and the Young Marines marched through the auditorium and onto the stage , . upon taking there positions the color guard was marched on , as the color guard marched to its position. Young Marines Cpl. Sanchez (Signed the National Anthem) while LCpl. Burks sang the National Anthem. After the National Anthem the colors were retired for the night.

CO Guiles took the podium and welcomed everyone to the ceremonies for the evening . After CO Guiles his seat the podium was opened up to some free speech, first up was members of the Southwest Riverside Detachment 1057 of the Marine Corps League. Mr. Don Herpy presented Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. with Certificates of Commendation for their service to the Community and the Marine Corps League . Mr. Ed Wiggs presented CO Guiles with the same certificate from the Detachment Commandant . Next up was the Division 6 Assistant Commandant Sgt. Maj. Harkins (Ret), Sgt. Maj. Harkins thanked CO Guiles and said he was sure the National HQ's made the right choice he also thanked Mrs. Guiles for her many contributions to the Young Marines Organization. Sgt. Maj. Harkins also thanked and commended Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles for their service . He also challenged the Young marines of TVYM to aspire to be just like the two retiring Young Marines. CO Guiles, Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles received a special letter of recognition from Congressman Darrell Issa.

The time was finally here CO Guiles called for the flag details to march on , as they marched on Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt Guiles took their positions in center stage. As CO Guiles took his position the flag ceremony was read off by Mrs. Aguilar. The Flags were handed slowly from Young Marine to Young Marine each time the Young Marines would bring the flag to their hearts and about face to meet the next Young Marine , , . The last two Young Marines were SSgt. Munoz and SSgt. Aguilar. Each Young Marine walked the flag held close to their hearts to Young Marine 1st Sgt. Currier , who in turn took the flag and marched it up to GySgt. Smothers who handed each flag off to CO Guiles . CO Guiles thanked each Young Marine for their service and and handed them their flag, . The flags came with a Certificate of Authenticity from the City of Temecula where they were flown over city hall the week before the ceremony. Before their discharge papers were read both Young Marines were awarded the Young Marine Organizations highest award the Distinguished Order of Merit they were the 14th and 15th recipients of this award . After the Young Marines received their awards, the Unit XO GySgt. Smothers read off the Young Marines Honorable Discharge for the Young Marines. After this ceremony CO Guiles and Unit XO GySgt. Smothers and the Young Marines took their seats.

Free speech time was given again before the change of Command ceremony and Mrs. Bryanna vaughan former Temecula Valley Young Marine and recent UCLA graduate took the microphone. Mrs. Vaughn talked about her time with TVYM and how much fun she had as well as a Young Marine with the unit. Mrs. Vaughn also expressed how excited she was to be back with TVYM as an Adult mentor.

The time had come for CO Guiles to give his farewell speech it was hard for CO Guiles to give his speech without shedding a tear . A few times CO Guiles stopped and regained his exposure he told his soon to be former Young Marines to hang in and stay with the program. CO Guiles also explained that change is something that happens in life and that GySgt. Smothers and he thinks along the same lines so not too much will change. CO Guiles thanked everyone Parents for entrusting their children with him, CO Guiles also thanked the Young Marines and told them it was honor to be their Commanding Officer. CO Guiles then stepped back and stood in front center stage with GySgt. Smothers . CO Guiles did an about face and grabbed the Units guidon form Young Marine 1st Sgt. Currier one last time. As CO Guiles about faced to meet GySgt. Smothers 1st. Sgt. Currier took a position behind GySgt. Smothers the exchanging of the guidons was read by Mrs. Guiles as the unit guidon off the GySgt. Smothers signifying the Change of Command.

GySgt. Smothers turned to 1st. Sgt. Currier and handed the guidon off to be posted, As GySgt. Smothers turned around CO Guiles took one step to the left and GySgt. Smothers took one step to the right. CO Guiles took two steps forward and sat down in the Unit XO's seat. GySgt. Smothers took his seat in the Commanding Officers seat. GySgt. Smothers stood stood up and approached the podium he gave his incoming remarks to the units Parents and Young Marines.

before the final march off was to be done Mr. Colvin jumped up on stage and said there were a few more things from the unit the first item was an awesome quilt that was done by Mrs. Healy, Mrs. Healy brought the quilt into drill one day and had the Young Marines draw a picture, this picture shows the one thing they remember most about CO Guiles , . The next gift was from Mr. Colvin and the TVYM staff it was a picture of all the Young Marines and the staff in front of their training facility , around the mating of the picture the Young Marines and staff wrote a farewell message to CO Guiles. Both Young Marines Sgt. Maj. Guiles and MGySgt. Guiles received the a picture of the unit in front of an SR-71.

The time had approached CO Guiles stood up and walked to the stairs to the right of the stage behind him were both Young Marines. it was time for the tolling of the bells Mrs. Guiles read what the significance of tolling the bells meant. Although CO Guiles should only receive 4 bells Young Marine 1st. Sgt. Currier leaned into the CO and said I am giving you (6) bells sir (that honor is usually for flag officers and Generals). Young Marine 1st Sgt. Currier rang the bell (6) times and loudly announced Commanding Officer departing !! Co Guiles walked down the stairs head up tears in his eyes and he exited out the door. While outside CO Guiles could hear (4) bells tolled Young Marine Sgt. Major Departing Sgt. Major Guiles was now outside finally the last (4) bells Young Marine MGYSgt. Departing.

CO Smothers then announced that the ceremony was over and refreshments were being served. In the back of the auditorium Mr. Guiles times 3 meet all of their Young Marines and parents and said good bye to each one. a lot of pictures were taken and tears shed but a new beginning has begun for everyone.

A Word from Mr. Guiles; "Young Marines and Parents of Temecula Valley it has truly been an honor to serve as your Commanding Officer. I will always remember the fun and crazy times we have all had together, I ask that you stay with the Young Marines and push on. remember what you have learned with me and take it forward wherever you go. I am always there for you we are all one big family and always will be. For the staff of TVYM thank you for putting up with me for so long you are truly the best and hardest working staff I have ever seen. It has been my honor to work side by side with you on all of our endeavors and adventures. I wish everyone in the Temecula Valley Young Marines, Staff and Parents fair winds and following seas". Thank you to Mr. Colvin for the awesome signed picture, Mrs. Healy for the time it took to make that beautiful blanket and to Mrs. Munoz for ensuring that all of the refreshments were ready and for taking care of re-registration at the same time.

Semper Fi,

Michael Guiles