Colorado Young Marines honored for a year of community service
THORNTON, Colo. (KDVR) — They're not in the military yet, but they're well on their way. The Foothills Young Marines spent the last year volunteering in the community and leading by example.
Now they're being rewarded for their hard work. They were just named Unit of the Year for the region. They'll now compete with five other units from across the country for National Unit of the Year.
Presidents Day: Is mail delivered, trash collected on Monday?
'The Young Marines is a youth program for boys and girls ages 8 to 18 or completion of high school. We promote different life values and skills, citizenship,' said Nick Stone, unit commander.
'And some of our notable achievements this year included partnering with the VFW to conduct the VFW airlift where we loaded 16,000 pounds of food that was distributed across the state. We've manned hydration tables at the Children's Hospital 5K. We've helped paint houses for disabled veterans in the Friends for Firestone. We always work with the Honor Flight, so we've greeted each and every veteran home on the last five Honor Flights. So we've done a lot of community service,' he added.
Members of the Young Marines often go on to attend service academies like West Point and serve in the armed forces.
'In the future, I do plan on being in the Marine Corps. And I truly do believe that this unit will help me develop leadership skills, integrity, teamwork, and most importantly, a connection with other people,' said James Hickey, a Young Marine who was also honored as Young Marine of the Year for the Foothills unit.
FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox
'My friends and family are very, very supportive of this. They think it's actually really great that I'm taking this opportunity to go and express myself in this way,' said Galena Sheehan, a member of the Foothills Young Marines.
Because of their hard work, we thought they deserved another honor. That's why we've named the Foothills Young Marines our FOX31 Serving Those Who Serve Heroes of the Month for February 2025. The unit will receive a plaque from our Serving Those Who Serve sponsors at American Furniture Warehouse and Plumbline Services.
To nominate a veteran, active duty service member or others for our Hero of the Month honors, visit the nomination page.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Hy-Vee sponsors 15th Honor Flight
Quad Cities, Eldridge, and Clinton Hy-Vees are sponsoring their 15th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. Hy-Vee's $50,000 donation will send approximately 80 local Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated in their honor. Hy-Vee staff members said they believe every veteran should have the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight. The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities' director, Steve Garrington, is an Army veteran, and he said each flight is a special moment. 'One of the exciting things about our flights is we take Vietnam veterans who were not welcomed when they came home back during the war,' Garrington said. 'We're able to take them and say, 'Welcome home' through their welcome home now. It's a little late, but better late than never. For everyone that laughs or cries, or has a good time, and says, 'Gosh, this was great,' that means a lot to me.' The Honor Flight is scheduled to leave for Washington D.C. on Sept. 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
New West Virginia Honor Flight will bus veterans to Washington
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — This year's Honor Flight out of West Virginia will be a little different than years past, as the new Honor Flight North Central West Virginia hub will not take flight but rather a drive to Washington, D.C., for two nights and three days. The change comes after Honor Flight Huntington ceased operations. Now, Honor Flight North Central West Virginia will be the only operating hub out of West Virginia, according to Honor Flight North Central WV Coordinator Billie Jo Claypool. Claypool said this updated way of travel was inspired by a Virginia chapter that does the same. She added that this new way is set to be more cost-effective and allow veterans to visit more sites and stay there longer. Claypool estimates that each bus trip should cost around $30,000. On top of the lower cost, Claypool said that the goal is to have four trips a year, with around 25 veterans and their guardians each time, instead of just one trip. If all spots are taken, Claypool said those veterans' spots will automatically be reserved for the next trip, which is expected to be in the Spring. Elderly and disabled residents trapped without functioning elevator in Clarksburg apartment building 'We go up, we travel one day, we see all monuments and memorials the next, and then we travel home. All meals, all rooms and everything is provided for our veterans, so that's more relaxing and it doesn't wear them out as much,' Claypool said. In years past, the flight has taken off from the North Central West Virginia Airport, and then veterans were greeted with a special welcome by the community on their return flight. Now, the buses will depart and return to the Clarksburg VFW. Applications are now open for the fall Honor Flight, which is scheduled to be Sept. 12-14. Eligible veterans include those who are terminally ill veterans, World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War veterans. Claypool said to reach her at 304-677-7812 if you have any questions. Volunteers with the flight meet every Tuesday at the Clarksburg VFW from 4-6 p.m. Donations are also already being collected for his year's trip, which can be sent to: Honor Flight 430 West Pike St. Clarksburg, WV 26301 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
‘I feel very honored': WWII veteran celebrates 105th birthday
WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — It was a monumental day for longtime West Warwick resident Peter Ricci. The World War II veteran celebrated his 105th birthday with a visit from Rep. Earl Read, who presented him with a citation thanking him for his service. He received the honor surrounded by his family and friends Monday afternoon. Ricci enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was 23 years old and spent most of his time aboard a minesweeper off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. STREET STORIES: WWII veteran surprised with Honor Flight trip for 100th birthday He now lives at Monsignor De Angelis Manor I with his 95-year-old wife Mary and spends most of his free time at the West Warwick Senior and Community Center. 'I feel very honored,' Ricci said. 'I have a beautiful wife and a beautiful life.' Though his birthday was officially on May 14, Ricci's neighbor Sheila Monahan took it upon herself to make sure he was properly recognized for the major milestone. 'Peter and his wife are a delight to know,' Monahan said. 'He's had such a wonderful and exciting life.' NEXT: WWII veteran graduates from Cranston High School East Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
