By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
When Tyson Henry was a youngster, it was clear he was going to be in the military.
“It started with me running around my neighborhood, acting like a little Army guy,” said Henry with a laugh. “My mom spoke to me and said I needed to be informed so I didn’t offend or scare the neighbors.”
Therein started Henry’s pursuit. He saw the Young Marines in a parade and researched the group. The Mountain View High School senior, who now lives in Gilbert, began attending their Tuesday night meetings.
Henry became a standout in the group. For the third time, he will join the Young Marines in a trip to Hawaii to participate in the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Young Marines, however, must raise $5,000 more before it may travel there.
It has several upcoming fundraisers: A rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14, at Trinity Church, 2130 E. University Drive, Mesa; and a car wash from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 14, at Cracker Barrel, 1007 N. Dobson Road, at Mesa Riverview. A portion of the proceeds from food sales at Nando’s, 3519 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert, will be donated to the group from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 9.
Additionally, donations can be sent directly to the unit by check to the East Valley Young Marines, Attn: Dana Lippincott, Unit Commander 1345 W. Nido Ave., Mesa, AZ 85202 or over the phone by contacting Dawn Henry at 480-430-0821. For more information, visit youngmarines.com.
“I’m excited,” said Tyson Henry, who hopes to attend ASU next fall and pursue a career with the DEA. “It’s very rare for a Young Marine to go more than once. It’s an opportunity most Young Marines are never going to have. I know, for me, going to these events I learn more than I ever would out of a book in school.
“You get an overwhelming sense of the magnitude of the attack and how it affected our nation, and how to prevent that in the future.”
Through this deployment the young men and women will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the events of this day and the impact that it had on the nation. They will also be charged with participating in a multitude of events, including a community service beach clean-up project; a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery; marching in the Pearl Harbor Day parade; and visiting the USS Arizona.
“The Young Marines isn’t a scary program,” Henry said. “It’s a leadership and development program. They’re raising young adults, essentially from 8 to 18, to become productive citizens in the community.”
Last summer, Henry taught at the Young Marines National Leadership Academy in Oregon.
“I was there the previous year as a student,” he said. “I would have never gone to Oregon on my own devices if it wasn’t for this program.”
He also spent a week in Quantico, Virginia, and attended the DEA Academy there.
“I did a little training and learned about what they do,” Henry said. “In the long run, I want to work for the DEA.”
Henry’s mom, Dawn, can’t stress enough the importance of the Pearl Harbor trip.
“Participating the 77th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor is an amazing way for our youth to learn about yesterday’s heroes from first hand educational experiences,” she said.
“I’m very proud of Tyson. I’m proud of all our Young Marines. To watch these kids grow and develop and see what they can achieve is amazing. There’s so much negativity out there. The Young Marines is a hidden gem.”
