Lt Alexander Bonnyman Unit News
59 out of the 62 recruits who started with the 2010 Recruit Class on 6 March graduated on 1 May 2010 to become Young Marines. The Guest of Honor at the graduation ceremony was SgtMaj David Hatfield, USMC (Ret.), the current head of the Marine Corps League's Department of Tennessee. The Overall Honor Recruit for the class was Ashlyn M. Capps.
YM GYSgt Jamaica Morrow with her trophies from National American Miss Pageant
YM GySgt Jamaica Morrow participated in the National American Miss Pageant over the 2009 Labor Day weekend. She received a number of awards, including: Portfolio Award, Spirit Award, State Finalist, Spokesmodel 4th runner up, Actress 2nd runner up, and Academic 1st runner up. She was also selected as one of the top 15 Semi Finalists out of 123 contestants. Congratulations, Jamaica
At the unit drill on 9/5/09, it was announced that YM Master Gunnery Sergeant (YM MGySgt) Patrick Lawson has been selected as the Unit Young Marine of the Year. Following this honor, Young Marine Lawson was also selected as the Young Marine of the Year for both the TN 2nd Battalion and the TN Regiment during the Regimental Staff Meeting on 9/13/09. His file will now be submitted for consideration as the 3rd Division YMOY, competing against the YMOY from each of the other Regiments in the Division.
Young Marine Lawson entered our unit as a recruit in the spring of 2003. He is a fine young man who is respected by the other Young Marines and the Adult Staff members in our unit and serves as an excellent role model for all the other Young Marines. In February 2009, he was selected to fill the position of Unit 1st Sergeant for our unit and he served well in that position until he was promoted to Unit Sergeant Major commencing 9/1/09.
In 2008, YM Lawson was selected to serve as a YM Instructor for our unit’s 2008 Recruit Class. Not only has he successfully completed the Junior, Senior, and Advanced Leadership Schools but he has also served as YM Staff for a number of Leadership Schools over the last year, including the 3rd Division Senior Leadership School (SLS) at Cherry Point, NC in 10/08, and three Junior Leadership Schools (JLS). He was on the staff of the 5th Division Leadership Academy (JLS/SLS) outside Cincinnati, OH, as well as a Regimental JLS in Atlanta, GA. At the TN Regimental JLS in Smyrna, TN this summer, he served as the YM 1st Sergeant, the 2nd most senior YM on the staff at the JLS. The Adult Leaders responsible for conducting each of those leadership schools have all reported back very favorably regarding YM Lawson’s performance during those schools.
Throughout his years with the Young Marines, YM Lawson has been one of our most dedicated and reliable Young Marines. He regularly participated in virtually every YM activity, including many trips and encampments that included overnight stays. For example, he participated in two summer trips to MCRD, Parris Island, SC, and on other week-long trips to Norfolk, VA, Washington, DC, and Pensacola, FL. He has participated in many Color Guard events and keeps himself in great physical condition, as evidenced by his high Physical Fitness Test scores. As a result of his accomplishments in the Young Marines and in outside activities, YM Lawson has earned numerous YM ribbons, many involving multiple award devices, including awards for Good Conduct, Perfect Attendance, Community Service, Land Navigation, Swimming, Marksmanship, Drill Team Competition, CPR, Organized Unit Trip, and many more.
In addition to his Young Marine activities, YM Lawson is also active in his church’s youth group and at school, where he is a member of the German Club. He is currently a senior at South Doyle High School, where he maintains a 3.5 grade point average. For the last year and a half, he has also been taking flying lessons. YM Lawson should take his first solo flight and receive his private pilot’s license in the near future.
During the 5 September drill we were pleased to recognize Registered Adult Leader Joe McCarter, Sr., our long-serving Executive Officer, as our Unit Adult Leader of the Year. Mr. McCarter has been a dedicated Adult Leader for more than a decade. In addition, Mr. McCarter was selected as the Adult Leader of the Year for both the TN 2nd Battalion and TN Regiment. His file will be sent up to compete for the 3rd Division Registered Adult Leader of the Year. All of us with the Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Unit wish to thank Mr. McCarter for his support of our Unit!
On 2 June 2009, Registered Adult Leader Kyle M. Lawson received a Certificate of Appreciation and a Global War on Terror Service Commemorative Medal from the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Iraqi Army Military Transition Team. Kyle received these awards for his support of the Brigade in 2006. The citation for the commemorative medal reads, “To Kyle M. Lawson, Senior Cartographer, Local Planning Assistance Office, for exceptional support and service which resulted in the mission readiness and success of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division Military Transition Team during combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. While preparing maps for upcoming operations, the S-2 Section was critically short of supplies; upon being contacted, Mr. Lawson’s quick actions in purchasing and shipping the vital items enabled teams to have key maps before deploying to their mission locations.” Congratulations, Kyle!
February 2009 - Seven YM from our unit have been approved to attend National Leadership Schools at Camp Pendleton, CA in the summer of 2009. YM Corporals Brandon Magee, Cody Stanley, and Dominique Starr will attend Junior Leadership School (JLS) from 24 June-1 July. YM SSgt Cody Watson will attend Senior Leadership School (SLS) from 17 June – 24 June. YM GySgt Robert McNutt and YM SSgt Jamaica Morrow will be attending Advanced Leadership School (ALS) from 17 June -1 July. YM MSgt. Benjamin Brott has been selected to be the Academy 1st Sgt so will attend all JLS, SLS, and ALS sessions. He is one of only two YM selected from throughout the country to help run the National Leadership Schools. He will be at Camp Pendleton from 10 June – 1 July.
Other Young Marines in our unit will be attending a JLS outside Cincinnati, OH during June while others will be attending a Regimental JLS in Smyrna, TN in July.
On 23 January 2009, former YM Unit 1st Sgt. Patrick York graduated with six other young men and women from the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) Basic Police Cadet Academy. The Cadet Academy is a five-week program designed to familiarize young people between 17 and 21 years of age with careers in law enforcement. After graduation, the new cadets work up to 40 hours per week at the KPD performing non-law enforcement duties. They are also eligible to receive up to a $3,000 college scholarship. Patrick’s proud grandfather, Jesse York, is one of our unit Adult Leaders.
In November 2008, YM Sgt. Aaron Wade was selected as one of two Patriot’s Pen winners from the Seymour, TN Middle School in the “Voice of Democracy” essay contest. His essay was titled “Why America’s Veterans Should be Honored.”
What a way to celebrate your 18th birthday! YM Cpl Benjamin Deremer was carrying on a family tradition when he ran in the 33rd Annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC last October 26th – it just happens that was his 18th birthday. Ben wanted to run in the Marine Corps Marathon because his father, Dan Deremer, ran that same marathon 30 years ago while he was in the Marine Corps. Ben finished his marathon in four hours, 54 minutes, and 37 seconds. His dad doesn’t remember - or isn’t telling - what his time was 30 years ago. Ben will also be following his father into the Marine Corps later this year. After he graduates from Seymour High School this May, Ben is scheduled to report to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC in early June. In the meantime, YM Cpl Deremer will be one of the YM Instructors working with the YM 2009 Recruit Class.
On 22 November 2008 the Young Marines celebrated the 233rd anniversary of the birthday of the Marine Corps with a traditional ceremony, dinner and social gathering. Our guest of honor was Marine Major Brian Griffing.
