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Youth participates in national event

EAST LONGMEADOW Ed Mitrook of East Longmeadow was one of several Young Marines from across the country traveling to Washington, D.C. last week to participate in the National Memorial Day Parade.

The Young Marines are independent community-based programs led by volunteer former, retired, active duty, or reserve Marines that pass on the positive values of the Marine Corps.

Young Marines go through an orientation program, or "Boot Camp" and learn traditional Marine values such as history, physical fitness, close order drill, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure.

The National Memorial Day Parade is organized by a coalition of military, veteran and civic groups in association with the World War II Veterans Committee, the White House Commission Remembrance and America Supports You, a Department of Defense program that highlights the support of the American people for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

The parade was comprised of bands, active military units, youth groups and hundreds of veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the battles in Grenada and Somalia and the Gulf War.

Patriotic floats and helium-filled parade balloons also were a part of the procession with more than 3,000 participants expected to take part in the parade.

In addition, the parade had representation from countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Canada.

For more information, visit www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.