Young Marine Retirement Ceremony 2008

On September 28th, 2008 the Temecula Valley Young Marines said their final farewell to Young Marines Sgt. Major Katie Aguilar and Sgt. Zach Taylor. These two Young Marines have served in the unit for six years. Today was thier day it was their time to shine as they retired from the Young Marines program.

As the Young Marine gathered outside of the Vail lake Claifornia room in anticipation of the Retirement Ceremony . CO Guiles collected one of each Young Marine for the ceremony (Pvt. German, PFC Taylor, LCpl. Munoz, Cpl. Aguilar, Cpl. Taylor, SSgt. Vaughn, MSgt. Guiles and 1st Sgt. Guiles) . Each of these Young Mariens were taught by CO Guiles how to pass the retiring Young Marines retirement flags to the Commanding Officer during the ceremony.

The practice went perfect we had some very important guests at this ceremony Mr. Mike Naggar the Mayor of Temecula , Sgt. Major Harkins the Assistant Division Commander and Mr. Duane Preimsberger a writer for the neighbors newspaper. As everyone including the retiring Young Marines took their seats. CO Guiles tlaked to the audience about the retirement ceremony and explained why the Young Marine detail were wearing their covers indoors.

CO Guiles gave the command and the ceremony started each Young Marine passed the flags to each other. As each Young Marine passed the flag the recieving Young Marine would salute slowly . As the flag was handed of the Young Marine who presented the flag would give a slow salute as the flag left their hands. the reciving Young Marine would about face and the process would start all over again.

As the flags reached CO guiles he gave a slow salute and accepted both flags he then right faced and wlaked to Young Marines Sgt. Major Aguilar and Sgt. Taylor adn hande them each a flag. Durign the whole ceremony the unit adjutant read an "An American Flag" and informed everyone that these flags had been proudly flown over the city of Temecula.

Young Marine 1st Sgt. Guiles dismissed the flag detail, CO Guiles then had each retiring Young Marine report in individually as they did the unit Adjutant read a letter form the Division Coammander to each Yougn Marine. Then the time came and the Unit adjutant read their honorary discharge orders. Before the ceremony ended CO Guiles handed each Young Marine a Bottle of sparkiling cider.

The Mayor of Temecula and Sgt. Major Harkins each stepped up in front of the audience and gave a speech on the Young Marines retiring and the Young Marines program. CO Guiles then asked each Young Marine if they would like to get up and say a few words to their former unit. After each said their final farewell CO Guiles dismissed the unit one last time for the retiring Young Marines.

As everyone mingled the whole room was filled with motivation and sadness (not a bad sadness) but a very good one as two lives moved on and are on a good course after being a Young Marine.

"Fair Winds, and Following Seas" to both Retired Sgt. Major Aguilar and Sgt. Taylor we wish the best of luck and we are hear for you.

More Retirement pictures can be seen on the unit photos page

You can read the Division Commanders message to YM/Sgt. Major Aguilar & YM/Sgt. Taylor