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2A Daily News ��� Saturday, December 29, 2012 Community people&events A child whisperer listens By JOHN MINTON Last time I wrote about one of ���my��� kids growing up right before my eyes (Benjamin Renteria from PAL Martial Arts) I said next I���d talk about two very special young ladies that I had the pleasure of working and growing with in the Young Marine program. Annie Bennett and Mary Hurton have truly made me a much better person than I was before. God placed them in my life. They were a gift from Him. They are Angels. Everyone adds to our lives especially family members. We didn���t have a choice in which family we were born into. But we sure do have a lot of say about who we pick and choose as family while on this earth. Most of the time, I believe, it���s reciprocal. With Annie and Mary I feel this is true. Annie was in our second graduating class in the program (Series 0602. She was Honor Graduate, just barely beating out Matthew Collins. (They���re will be more about Matt and several others soon.) Annie was just fourteen when she joined the unit. I will always remember her and her mom sitting in the audience as I gave the ori- entation meeting at Vista Middle School in 2006. In just four years Annie went from recruit to the California Young Marine Regimental Sergeant Major billet. Before she was done Annie went to three leadership academies and was in the top of each of those classes. In the Senior and Advanced academies she was right at the very top. I mean tip top. She was invited to the annual Young Marine symposium in Washington, D. C., where fifteen Young Marines get to have a major input on changes in the national program. Annie speaks a foreign language and had some input into making this an award for anyone who speaks another language. Oh, which other language does she speak? Sign language. I know these articles that the Daily News allows me to send in can be lengthy. And I really do appreciate the audience���s patience and understanding. I feel this is crucial to get these stories out especially in these times where children are given few opportunities to succeed and excel. Annie went on to represent the Young Marine SECRET WITNESS 529-1268 A program of Tehama County Neighborhood Watch Program, Inc. Setting it straight ������������������������ It is the policy of the Daily News to correct as quickly as possible all errors in fact that have been published in the newspaper. If you feel a factual error has been made in a news story, call the news department at 527-2153. program (and this community) at a United Nations function where she had special voting privileges on violence against women around the world. Annie won the Jimmy Trimble Scholarship (about a Marine who died on Iwo Jima). She had to interview a WW II veteran and write an essay on it. Only one male and one female Young Marine win this each year. She received a college scholarship and a trip to Iwo Jima; a lifetime of experiences. Now, enter Annie���s cousin, Mary Hurton. Mary tells me, occasionally, that I made her cry at Boot Camp! Did I, really? I know I am not that tough of a Marine but maybe so in the eyes of a young (impressionable) teenager. Now, she tells me that I passed her expectations with flying colors. Mary Hurton���s expectations are very high and nearly impossible to beat. She left the program a Young Marine Master Sergeant and was appointed as the first Young Marine First Sergeant of the Ray Jacobs (1st) Battalion (encompassing nine units and two-hundred fifty Young Marines at that time). Mary also won the Jimmy Trimble Scholarship (the year after Annie did) and a trip to Iwo Jima but they got stuck on Guam as the tsunami hit Japan. She interviewed Iwo Jima veteran, Mr. Bud Gott who died about one year later. They had a very special connection. Mary didn���t get to go to the Young Marine symposium or Advanced Courtesy photo John Minton, center, pictured with Annie Bennett, left, and Mary Hurton, right, at Oak Hill Cemetery on Memorial Day. Leadership School, though. There was one PFT (physical fitness test) that she missed. One is required each six months, along with other criteria, by a specific date. She met all other requirements but I failed to contact her in time so she missed that PFT. Both Mary and Annie also received the highest award in the national program, the Distinguished Service Ribbon (DSR) directly from the National Executive Director, Lt. Col. Michael B. Kessler, USMC (ret). They both were very fortunate to come from two families who have given them the kind of support every child needs. Their moms, Toni Bennett and D���Lorah Hurton, also received special recognition directly from Lt. Col. Kessler. Annie and Mary keep me posted on where they are in life. These two young ladies will always be admired by the staff at the Young Marines National Headquarters, Washington, D.C. But none of them are as fortunate as I because they may have trained them after Boot Camp but I got to spend a lot of time with the both of them and their families. I visited Mary at college in Cedarville, Ohio, last year. We went to lunch and she and I got to discuss all that was going on there at her college as well as some news about the unit here. She was happy to see someone from home and I only wish I could have stayed a lot longer. I have received a couple of cards from Annie that are safeguarded in my shadow box. They are more important than any award I ever received in my life. The only other thing that equals that is when Mary posted on Facebook that she asked me to move near her college in Ohio so that I could go to college with her. How special is that? Annie, Mary, Carlin Bowles, Debbie Ortiz, Mickayla Erickson, Chris Collins and several others were responsible for the unit winning the national Fulcrum Shield from the Secretary of Defense in 2009 and the national Unit of the Year in 2010. Their unit is and always will be nationally recognized for accomplishing so much in and for this community. Those of us, who were there, in the shadows, are fortunate to have gotten to know these young people. A lot of people were involved in all of the accomplishments of Annie, Mary, Matthew, Jennifer, and Christopher Collins, Kylie Irwin and the rest of those in the Young Marine program. The name of the program is the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. Detachment 1140 and many volunteers have been involved with these awesome people since the beginning in 2004 when the idea was brought up to form a unit. The Business Connections folks have been supportive of a lot of activities that the unit has been involved in over the years. There are too many to name here but I can say, without hesitation, that I learned a lot from the kids who have stayed with the program until they were discharged. So much so that everything I know about the Young Marines, I learned from the Young Marines. Mom tired of being the housework cop DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNTY SINCE 1885 VOLUME 128, NUMBER 28 HOW TO REACH US On the Web: www.redbluffdailynews.com MAIN OFFICE: NEWS Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. News Tip Hotline: 527-2153 FAX: (530) 527-9251 E-mail: clerk@redbluffdailynews.com Daytime: (530) 527-2151 Sports: Ext. 111 Obituaries: Ext. 103 After hours: (530) 527-2153 ______________________ ADVERTISING DEPT. Main Phone (530) 527-2151 Outside area (800) 479-6397 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080 ______________________ Mail: Red Bluff Daily News P.O. 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FAX: (530) 527-2151 Ext. 122 (530) 527-2151 Ext. 133 (530) 527-5774 E-mail: advertise@redbluffdailynews.com CLASSIFIED: 1-855-667-2255 SPECIAL PAGES ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS Tuesdays: Kids Corner, Health Wednesdays: Business Thursdays: Entertainment Fridays: Education Saturdays: Select TV, Farm, Religion Publisher & Advertising Director: Greg Stevens gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Editor: Chip Thompson editor@redbluffdailynews.com Sports Editor: Andre Byik sports@redbluffdailynews.com Circulation Manager: Kathy Hogan khogan@redbluffdailynews.com Production Manager: Sandy Valdivia sandy@redbluffdailynews.com POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: PO BOX 220, RED BLUFF CA 96080 The Red Bluff Daily News is an adjudicated daily newspaper of general circulation, County of Tehama, Superior Court Decree 9670, May 25, 1955 �� 2012 Daily News Postage Paid Periodicals Dear Annie: My hus- mess. It���s teaching the kids to be independent, band and I have to have some work been married for ethic and to be 23 years, and we accountable for have two teenage their actions. To daughters. Our them, I���m being a biggest issue is nag. What should I disciplining the do? ��� Tired in kids. I think they Rural Oregon should do more Dear Tired: household chores. My husband Annie���s Nagging is part of your job as a parent. agrees in theory, And it���s OK to let but does nothing to hold them by Kathy Mitchell some things go. The accountable when and Marcy Sugar girls��� rooms are theirs. Leave their they don���t cooperate, so the burden of disci- clothes on the floor and their beds unmade. Tell pline falls on me. I���m sick of being the bad them those things are their guy and living in a slovenly responsibility, and show house that no one else cares them how to use the washer about. I���ve talked to them and dryer. If you can���t stand until I���m blue in the face. the sight of the mess in their I���ve tried letting things go to rooms, close the doors. Common areas will be see whether they���d eventually do something, and that tougher, but they are countdoesn���t work either. Usual- ing on you to give up. Firmly, I end up so frustrated that ly and repeatedly remind I throw a big hissy fit and your husband and children to do whatever chores you clean it myself. I���m ready to move out. assign. Do not do these To me, it���s more than the things for them out of exas- Mailbox 90 years ago... Shoes and Hats to be Farm Women���s Project in County Coming Year Continuing the general slogan of clothing for health and efficiency which has been used effectively the past year, the 12 farm home departments of the Tehama county farm bureau are preparing for active work in 1923 in some respects surpassing the efforts made in 1922. ��� Dec. 29, 1922 peration, and try not to become angry. Offer incentives in the form of increased or decreased allowance. Help them understand that you are not a servant. Being a member of the family means doing your share. If your husband won���t help, discuss hiring outside cleaning assistance. Dear Annie: I am a senior in high school and plan to have a family graduation party next spring. However, I haven���t spoken to my maternal grandparents in six months. They have never been a part of my life and have said and done some hurtful things over the years. They often start fights at family gettogethers. I have no desire to invite them, but my mom says I should because I would otherwise regret it later. Honestly, I���d be happy never to see them again, but I don���t want to hurt my mom by not inviting her parents. Should I? ��� East Coast Senior Dear Senior: Yes ��� not only because it would please your mother, but also because it will give your grandparents a chance to behave better. One should take advantage of opportunities to reconcile when possible. Dear Annie: ���Washington��� said her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 30 years ago. She had been active in her church and had lots of friends, but at age 49, she was in a nursing home. Now the only person who visits is her daughter. I was diagnosed with MS in 1961 at age 19. In 1962, I became wheelchair bound. I���m fortunate to have a loving, caring husband of 52 years who does the things I cannot do for myself. This disease turns your life upside down. It makes the MS patient feel like a burden to society. But disabled people want to be loved, too. I have a chin-controlled power chair to move around in. I can use the computer with a voice-activated system, and I listen to books on tape. I stay as active as my limitations will allow. But with everything I do, someone has to assist me. I am blessed to have my husband. For people who say they���re bored: How about volunteering for the disabled? ��� Faithful Follower in Florida Dear Florida: A wonderful suggestion. Approximately 400,000 Americans are currently diagnosed with MS. For those who want more information, please contact the National MS Society at nationalmssociety.org. Sierra Sound New Year Eve Special NEW & USED CD���s 12 oz Ribeye Special Orders Avail. Car Stereo Sales - Service Installation We make house calls! 5:30am-9:00am Blue cheese & grilled onions 3 shrimp, veggies, choice of potato & choice of beverage, $ for beer or wine 1699 Best Homemade Pies in Town ��� Ice Cream Orders to go 226 So. Main St., Red Bluff 527-3735 731 Main St., 530.529.4012 open 7 days 5:30am-9pm