Provided by Young Marines
The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named the Manassas Young Marines of Manassas, Virginia, as the Division 1 Unit of the Year, the top honor for the division that consists of 40 units in 13 states and the District of Columbia. This honor was awarded for the unit’s community service, program achievement, and dedication to the mission. The unit will now compete with five other units from across the country for the top honor, the National Unit of the Year.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The organization promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members and focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
The National Unit of the Year will be chosen at the Young Marines 2026 Awards Banquet on March 13, 2026, at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport—Herndon. The unit, led by Unit Commander Deysi Vasquez, has 17 youth members and five adult volunteers.
“The Manassas Young Marines exemplify our mission,” said Col. William P. Davis, USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Their commitment to service, leadership, and a drug-free lifestyle is evident in everything they do. This unit sets the standard for excellence in Division 1, and they represent the very best of our organization and the communities we serve. “The Manassas Young Marines lead by example—through service, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.”
Manassas Young Marines joined units from across the nation, marching in the National Memorial Day Parades, May 25, 2025, honoring the legacy and sacrifice of America’s fallen heroes.
Included in their hundreds of hours of community service was participation and support in parades and color guards as well as numerous veterans’ appreciation and community events. The unit participates in parades each year including: the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.; the Manassas Christmas Parade; the St. Patrick’s Day Parade; the Manassas Fourth of July Parade; the Veteran’s Day Parade. The unit has served as color guard for a variety of community events.
Another major community event in which the Manassas Young Marines participate is the Red Ribbon Week Trunk or Treat at Manassas Mall. Hundreds of interactions and facetime with local youth and parents happen at this annual event.
The Manassas Young Marines support the Trunk or Treat event at Manassas Mall.
The unit has put significant efforts into their Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) programs, working to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and promoting a healthy lifestyle. One of their most visible activities was when the unit walked through Businesses in Manassas event, speaking to youth and adults they encountered about living a drug-free lifestyle. They spoke about Red Ribbon Week, obtained signatures from community members pledging to live a “Drug Free Life” and handed out Red Cord (drug prevention) Bracelets.
The volunteer leadership of this unit believes that having the opportunity to help guide young people as they grow into independent, confident, and successful leaders within their communities is extremely rewarding. Watching them discover their potential, push past self-doubt, and step into roles of responsibility is incredibly fulfilling. They also recognize how important it is to teach and model a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, especially during the years when they are forming habits and beliefs that will shape the rest of their lives. Being able to influence them in a positive direction, showing them what discipline, resilience, and good decision-making look like, is something very valuable.
“When you invest time, guidance and encouragement in a young person, the impact doesn’t end in the moment. It follows them for years, through high school, throughout college, as they begin their careers or military service and as parents. The lessons, values and the confidence they build extends outward into the communities they will one day lead,” said Executive Officer Celia Medina Palmieri.
For more information about the Manassas Young Marines, click here.
Young Marines History
Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 200 units with over 5,000 youth and 1,950 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan (Okinawa), and affiliates in a host of other countries.
For more information on the Young Marines, visit YoungMarines.org
