MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- To help build strength and confidence in themselves, members of the Eagle Young Marines courageously descended from a 60-foot-tall rappel tower located at Camp Horno, Camp Pendleton, Aug. 29.
The EYM program is a non-profit youth program supported by the Marine Corps League of Children, for kids ages eight through the completion of high school.
The program focuses on team building, physical fitness, scholastic excellence and leadership.
The young Marines are the central point of the MCL youth drug prevention efforts.
While in the program young Marines have to maintain uniform appereance, physical standards and uphold the standards set for them at home and at school.
With a look of unease on their faces and knees shaking, the young devil dogs bravely went down what Marine recruits go through during basic training without hesitation.
Although many were intimidated by the towering wall of terror, they did not face this feat alone.
Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines were present to aid in the safety or the young dare devils and occasionally went down the rappel tower themselves.
“Seeing those children build up the courage to face the rappel tower was really inspiring,” said Patti A. Siegmann, executive officer, Eagle Young Marines. “Watching them as they came down from the rope is something I will never forget.”
The EYM have been around for five years carrying out annual mud runs, trips to the IMAX theater, visits to Knott’s Soak City and participated in numerous memorial service events.
“Every time we get a new group of kids we try to make a lasting impression on them,” said Seigmann. “Our ambition is to make every year better than the last.”
The children are taught to use the principles they discover in the curriculum and during the challenging activities they undergo, as a platform to excel in the future, whether it be in the military or not.
For more information about the Young Marines, visit www.youngmarines.com or for more about Camp Pendleton Eagle Young Marines, contact Patti Siegmann (760) 213-5070.