New Young Marines sworn in

Riveridge — A group of local youth took their first disciplined steps as Young Marines after being welcomed into the program at a ceremony last week. At the Jan. 5 swearing-in, 37 new recruits joined the Lewis & Clark Young Marines, a unit of the Marine Corps League youth program created to teach self-confidence, healthy lifestyle choices, and physical and mental fitness. The unit’s ranks are now around 100, said Lewis & Clark Young Marines Unit Commander Brian Hildebrant. After they took an oath administered by Vancouver City Councilor Larry Smith, the recruits boarded a bus and began the first day of their nearly 3-month journey. “It was a fantastic event,” Hildebrant said.