Photo By 1st Lt. Anna Doo | Pfc. Daniel Martinez teaches Drill and Ceremonies to his Camp Victory squad at the...... read more read more
Española, N.M.— Proving that the New Mexico National Guard is a community-based force, Soldiers and Airmen conducted the inaugural Camp Victory at the readiness center here June 21.
The day-long camp was the brainchild of retired Army Guard Col. Joseph Macaron and retired Air Guard Col. Victor Carlin. Members of the NMNG Counterdrug Support (CDS) Program, assisted by Soldiers of the 1115th Transportation Company, educated 32 Española middle school students about the dangers of substance abuse and gang membership and the benefits of staying in school.
“Today is a day that’s going to change your life,” Macaron told the campers. “It’s about caring about the person next to you. It’s about caring about becoming a good person.”
Carlin said, “What you’re going to learn here today is to make positive choices.”
Brig. Gen. Judy Griego, chief of the Joint Staff (who oversees CDS), attended the welcome ceremony and first events, which included a safety briefing, physical training, and drill and ceremonies instruction.
“I know that some of you are here because of somebody else,” said Griego. “I can guarantee you that by the time you leave here this afternoon, you’re going to want to come back next year.”
CDS Civil Operations Program Manager Sgt. 1st Class Wil Romero, who led the day’s events, explained, “Colonel Macaron’s goal is to hold camps like this every year in every community where we have a readiness center.”
During registration, campers received complimentary bags with T-shirts, caps, water bottles, pens, and other gifts. They were treated to two hours of swimming at the Ranchitos Pool after the initial round of activities.
Each camper received a Meal, Ready-to-Eat or MRE – along with a short lesson on how to prepare it – for lunch. Classes on drug abuse, gang awareness, and gun safety followed lunch.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of climbing the CDS rock wall and a dodge ball tournament. The cadre ended the day by presenting each camper with a medal and completion certificate at a graduation ceremony.
The campers obviously enjoyed themselves. Macaron explained the reason for the age group selected. “We need to reach these kids in junior high,” he said, “because by the time they get to high school, it’s often too late.”
Romero said later, “The camp in Española was indeed a great success.”
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2014 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 134670 |
| Location: | ESPANOLA, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, New Mexico National Guard educates Española youth against drugs, gangs, by Douglas Mallary, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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