(Seguin) — The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named the Guadalupe Valley Young Marines of Seguin as the “Division 4 Unit of the Year,” the top honor for all divisions in a nine-state area. This honor was awarded for the unit’s community service, program achievement and dedication to the mission.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The organization promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
The unit, led by Unit Commander Dina Dillon, meets in Seguin. Division 4 encompasses nine states: Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
“What is so special about our unit is how well we collaborate with our community and veterans’ organizations. When they need help, we are there, and when we need help, they are there. We are always willing to serve,” said Unit Commander Dillon.
In 2022, the unit received the prestigious national award, the Fulcrum Shield, awarded by the Department of Defense for their Red Ribbon Week efforts (drug prevention and resistance) in the community.
Guadalupe Valley Young Marines is continually active in service to the entire area. Its participation includes volunteering with the Seguin Police Department’s “Badges, Bikes and Trikes” event where 100 bikes are given away to children. The unit planned games to ensure it was a fun event for children who attended. They also assisted the American Legion, Geronimo VFW, and DAV at the city-wide annual ceremonies for Memorial Day, Flag Day, POW/MIA Day, and Veterans Day.
Other events included serving as color guard for the POW/MIA ceremony, the Veterans Day city-wide ceremony, the Alamo City Cat show, the Seguin Chamber of Commerce’s 100-year Birthday Ceremony, the Vietnam Veterans Pinning Ceremony and numerous others.
A highlight of the year was its trip to Navajo Code Talkers Day in Window Rock, Arizona where they honored the Navajo Code Talkers and volunteered while visiting.
Asked what makes Young Marines so rewarding, Unit Commander Dillon said, “Being able to see the spark in a Young Marine’s eye when they understand that what they are learning in the program can benefit them for life. Connections and relationship building are effective in being able to bring experience to these young people for their future.”
Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 235 units with 6,100 youth and 2,100 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and a host of affiliates in other countries.
To learn more about the Guadalupe Valley Young Marines visit https://youngmarines.org/unit/guadalupevalley/page.