ALOHA!!!!!!!
The Southern California Regiment has returned from Hawaii, it was a very memorable week and the Young Marines worked hard during their Veterans Appreciation week. Flags were raised by units for local VFW's and the Marine Corps League over the USS Arizona Memorial. The Young Marines paid their respects to those below still entombed in the USS Arizona with leis dropped into the ocean. The Young Marines were able to meet and talk to some survivors of Pearl Harbor, they paid their respects for those who have fallen at the Punchbowl National Cemetery. The Regiment was asked by a National Park ranger if we could raise flags for the Navy Marine Corps Memorial at Pearl harbor , we bought the flags and donated them. The Flags are flying high over Pearl Harbor donated by the Southern California Regiment of Young Marines. We visited the USS Missouri and got to see the historical spot where World War II ended on the deck of this Mighty Battle Ship.
When the work was done we played on the beaches of Makapu on Marine Corps Base kaneohe Bay,we also played in the famous waters of Waikiki. The Young Marines pushed themselves to the limit with a 1,200 foot summit up the Koko Head Crater, we took pictures and sang the Marines Hymn to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. we took a tour of the Oahu and watched the blow hole at Hamauma bay shoot water into the air. We took pictures and climbed the rocks on the beach where the movie from here to eternity was filmed. The Regiment enjoyed the hospitality of Marine Corps Base Kaneohe bay as we ate in the chow hall ( they had the best chow ever), we were also privileged to stay in the barracks on base. On our last day the Young Marines shopped for an hour and a half at the International Market place. it was a fun time we hold the distinction of being the only Young Marine Regiment to pick up and Deploy 2,551 miles from home and off of the mainland of the United States.
I can say without a doubt that that this deployment would not have been possible without help from the following Unit Staff's to them I can only say Mahlo:
Theresa Aguilar - Executive Officer Bill McDonald - Commanding Officer Stephanie Guiles - Unit Adjutant Scott Sandler - Executive Officer Martie Aguilar - Unit CPA Michele McDonald - Unit Adjutnat Denise Munoz - Female Instructor Shani Sandler - Paymaster Joshua Smith - Male Instructor Dean Criske - Medical Officer Stephen Tashoff- Male Instructor We would also like to thank the following people for their help in helping accomplish this deployment:
MGySgt Wantz (Ret) - Temecula Valley Parent and SNCO Hook up Madeline Blake - Temecula Valley Parent Volunteer Arwen Chisolom - Public Affairs Specialist/Community Relations MCB Hawaii Arwen Chisolom - Public Affairs Specialist/Community Relations MCB Hawaii Mr. Gary Johnson - Billeting Director MCB Hawaii GySgt. Yontusca - Anderson Hall Chow Hall Manager Anne Sangiovanni - Park Ranger Pearl Harbor Hawaii Regina - TVYM Travel Agent We hope you enjoy our pictures from our deployment we hope you enjoy them there will be more posted as the week goes on. I can't wait until next years deployment....... Aloha