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Managing Editor CHICOPEE - While the resolutions from various communities may have been designed to salute Sergeant Major Edward Mitrook, the commanding officer of the Westover Young Marines for the past ten years, Mitrook had a different interpretation: the accolades weren't about him, but about the young people in the program. "All of this stuff here is because of you guys," he told the Young Marines attending their weekly meeting at Westover Air Reserve Base. "You guys are my fuel. You guys are my success story." His wife Linda and parents of the Young Marines surprised Mitrook with the government citations at the Feb. 1 meeting. The Young Marines is a national co-ed organization that teaches young people from ages eight to 18 military bearing, drilling, history, leadership and survival skills, among other subjects. The Westover unit currently has 83 members and there have been over 600 youths enrolled in the program over the past decade. More than 20 Young Marines have gone on to join the military, Mitrook said. Mitrook received congratulations from the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen, the Granby Board of Selectmen and the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette declared Feb. 1 "Edward Mitrook Day." Mitrook and his wife are residents of East Longmeadow. Mitrook served almost 30 years in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired in May 1999. Linda Mitrook said that she was a little worried about her husband and how he would adjust to not being in the military, but his involvement with the Young Marines, which started in 1997, filled the gap. "He lives and breathes this program," she said. "It's a whole second life." Mitrook said the program has built up the confidence of children as well as helped troubled children. The program requires the Young Marines to give presentations on various subjects and Mitrook said that, unlike a school setting, when a Young Marine makes a mistake, he or she isn't teased. After the presentation, an older member of the unit coaches them. Looking around the hanger in which they meet, Mitrook said, "There are success stories all over the place." The Westover unit has attracted youth from all around western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. There is an initial $200 fee to join the program and then an annual fee of $25. The parent's group runs a schedule of fund-raisers to defer the costs of the program. Mitrook's commitment to the Young Marines extends far beyond the weekly meetings and activities. He attends every graduation high school, college and boot camp of every member. Ten years is merely a milestone to Mitrook as he has no interest in stepping down. "They going to have to take me out of here horizontally," he said. | ||||||
