OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

 

After a comprehensive nine-week training course, final exam and field test, Sheriff Gerald A. Turlich, Jr. congratulates 23 new Young Marines that graduated from the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office (PPSO) Young Marines Program on Saturday, May 18.

 

The recent graduates, known as the “Echo” class, were the fifth recruit class to graduate from the PPSO Young Marines Program since its inception in 2014. From leadership, physical fitness, Drug Demand Reduction, community service, and citizenship – the recruits have been working on a variety of values and will continue to work toward improving themselves and their community through leadership, teamwork, and discipline.

 

Several graduates were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Young Marine (YM) Garrett Griffin was named the 2019 Honor Graduate, highest final exam score of 96% and was meritoriously promoted to YM/Private First Class (PFC). Young Marine/Private (Pvt) Travis Perkins was honored for the top male physical fitness (Iron Mike Award) along with Young Marine/Pvt Elizabeth Brown for the top female physical fitness (Molly Marine Award). Young Marine/Pvt Travis Perkins was named Most Improved Young Marine, while YM/Pvt Vincent Barthelemy was honored as the Young Marine Most Dedicated to Excellence. A new award (Gung Ho Award) was added for the Young Marine who showed the most spirit throughout recruit training and that award went to YM/Pvt Phoenix Jourdan. Young Marine Kalen Merrick was also meritoriously promoted to YM/PFC for his hard work in the Program.

 

Young Marine Unit Commander Deputy Norman Phillips and his staff bestowed the graduates with their certificates and awards. After the ceremony, the new graduates joined their family and friends for a reception at the Belle Chasse Auditorium.

 

“The Young Marines has become a vital part of our community in the fight against drugs, bullying, and juvenile crime,” explains Sheriff Jerry Turlich. “By instilling good citizenship, self-confidence and a sense of community service in these young people, they are becoming leaders and positive role models for their peers. They are truly making a difference in their community and we are so very proud of their achievements. We also want to recognize the many adult volunteers who give their time and talents to mentor our Young Marines.”

 

The Young Marines is a national non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls, age 8 through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

 

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 264 units with 8,950 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.

 

For more information, visit the official website at www.youngmarines.com. Locally, Unit Commander Deputy Norman Phillips can be contacted at nphillips@ppso.net or 504-657-6411. Adjutant Dianna Seiffert can also be contacted at dseiffert@ppso.net or 504-512-0173.

 

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Contact Information:

Lieutenant Chaun J. Domingue

Public Information Officer

Office: 504-934-6785