On January 19 2009, the Temecula Valley Young Marines deployed to San Diego, California to take part in the Stories of Service event on board the USS Midway. Stories of Service invites young people from across America to join our national campaign to capture the stories of the World War II generation. The Young Marines National Director issued an immediate press release in support of the Stories of Service project (You can read the Press release here). The Temecula Valley Young Marines were helped out by the Mojave Vipers from 29 Palms, California. The units arrived at the Edith Shain statue next to the USS Midway at 0745 
, upon there arrival they met with Mrs. Shain once again 
(the Young Marines were her escort at Decembers Veterans Holiday celebration). After the Young Marines brief talk with Mrs. Shain they were interviewed by KUSI San Diego's Good morning talk show, the video came out great and it aired live all across San Diego not just one live interview but three 
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. CO Guiles explained to the Talk show anchors that the Young Marines were present because today is Martin Luther King day. President elect Obama has asked everyone in America to turn this day into a day of Community Service so the Young Marines were doing as their new President has asked. After the Young Marines had their brief 30 minutes of fame in front of the camera it was off to the USS Midway where they immediately took part in the days event. The Young Marines were assigned special assignments to help out the Stories of Service project get started and of course showed everyone what a Young Marines could really do 
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During the events the Young Marines were interviewed for a Digital Story book that was going to be sent to President Obama 
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. After their interviews the Young Marines would go around and ask other volunteers to send a message to President Obama. While this was going on other Young Marries were helping get tables set up and ensure the area was secure and tidy. The Temecula Color Guard practiced for a good time before the colors were marched on.
At 1100 Mr. Warren Hegg started the entire day of events off Mr. Hegg asked everyone to rise as the Temecula Valley Young Mariens march on the colors 
. As the colors were presented the Young Mariens led the entire audience in the pledge of alligence. Mr. Hegg then asked the color gurad to retire the colors. Mr. Hegg then began to introduce key people who helped bring this event together people like Mrs. Linda and Mr. Barry Gershenson (Mr. Gershenson is the president of the Veteran's Holiday Celebration, inc and Mrs. Laurie is a member of the board), Robert Corpus , the Stories of Service veterans and editors and last but not least the Young Marines who are going to help bring in a whole new era of Stories of Service. Mr. Hegg introduced the Stories of Service Spokeswoman from Keep the Spirit of '45 alive. Mrs Edith Shain, Mrs Shain came out and talked to everyone and expressed her feelings to all of how happy she was to see that our veterans stories were going to be told for all to hear.
The day progressed and moved on as everyone did some networking and talked to veterans from World War II to the Korean War and on. The veterans were most impressed with the Young Marines and and how they acted and treated the veterans. Those who seemed to be the most impressed were the USS Midway Docents and greater's.
At 1430 the event was wrapped up and the end came near Mr. Hegg introduced his Guest of honors who briefly spoke and then turn towards the Young Marines. Mr. Hegg asked thanked the Young Marines once again and everyone clapped for the Young Marines. He then called CO Guiles to the podium to read a special letter from the Young Marines National Director. CO Guiles marched up on the stage with several Young Marines 
. CO Guiles talked about the Young Marines program and how they help in their communities and lead a happy healthy drug free lifestyle, he then read a letter from Mr. Kessler the Young Marines National Director. CO Guiles announced on behalf of the National Director that the Young Marines would be honored to help the Stories of Service project. When CO Guiles had finished Mr. Hegg called up Mrs. Shain once more and re-introduced her to everyone 
as a part of the closing ceremonies a singer crooned to Mrs. Shain 
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who was dancing on the stage 
. The Young Marines and everyone were called upon to come to the bottom of the stage and take a picture of this momentous event 
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As the festivities ended the Young Marines went up to the flight deck their the USS Midway photographer took a picture of the Young Marines in front of a Marine Corps A6 Intruder 
. After the Picture CO Guiles had a little surprise of his own, there was enough time left in the day for him to hold promotion ceremonies on the deck of the USS Midway 
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. As the Promotion ceremony ended the CO asked if anyone wanted to take a tour of the ship (of course they did). The units were split into two groups and the staff members took them on a quick tour of the aircraft carrier 
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After their tour the Young Marines did a quick police call of the area and then helped Mr. Hegg load his gear into his vehicle. Goodbyes were said as the Mojave Vipers drove back to MCB 29 Palms and the Temecula Valley Young Marines drove back home. It was a great day and a lot of community service hours, this is going to be an exciting event that the Young Marines are embarking on. And it was indeed an honor to spend the day ushering in the Stories of Service project.
OOOH- RAH !!! Young Marines you did a great job. And thank you to the Mojvae Vipers from 29 Palms who came out to help.
More photos can be seen on our units photo page
