News release
Three Young Marines units from Antelope Valley, Quartz Hill and Santa Clarita were among 24 Young Marines units throughout the United States who traveled to Hawaii to participate in the remembrance ceremonies of the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Quartz Hill Young Marines in Quartz Hill, the Santa Clarita Young Marines in Castaic and the Antelope Valley Young Marines in Palmdale participated in various honors and learned more about this World War II battle that changed the course of history.
A national youth organization for boys and girls from age 8 through high school graduation, the Young Marines pledge to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle when they take their oath.
“The Pearl Harbor trip provided an excellent opportunity for Young Marine units to enrich experiences for the youth outside their usual training environments,” the organization said in a news release. “The historical impact and education the Young Marines experienced on the island of Oahu were defining moments that served to inspire and shape their lives.”
Young Marine units raised funds at the local level to supplement the costs of traveling to Hawaii.
Among the events in which the three units participated were: community service beach cleanup on Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay; wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific “The Punchbowl,” in memory of all the brave men and women who are interred at the site; Klipper Ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, Honolulu.
A significant honor for all the Young Marine units in 2025 was to lead the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, on Sunday, Dec. 7, in Honolulu, the release said. Young Marines performed a color guard and carried the banners of the 12 capital ships that were attacked. They also assisted with many of the floats in the parade.
The parade’s objective is to honor the heroes and survivors of Pearl Harbor and World War II, to pay tribute to veterans, active-duty military members, and military families, to celebrate freedom, and to keep in remembrance the events of Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941.
“Pearl Harbor reminds our Young Marines that courage and sacrifice are not distant lessons from a textbook — they are living values,” Marine Col. William P. Davis (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, said in the release. “Every conversation with a veteran, every wreath laid, and every salute exchanged helps these young leaders understand what it truly means to serve.”
For more information on the Young Marines, visit www.YoungMarines.org.
