Do you ever wonder what’s in that box, the one sitting in the basement at your grandma’s house? It might be labeled, or it might not, but it just sits there for decades, untouched until moving it becomes a necessity. One northern Michigan family’s need to move such a box sparked an exciting journey for Brian Wheelock and the Traverse City Young Marines.

Brian started this journey not knowing where it would lead or what impact it would have on himself and the community. It began with a phone call from a northern Michigan family preparing to pack up their home and move, asking if he would take a box they had been holding onto for the last 40 years. The contents of the box? Personal belongings from Marine Gunnery Sgt. Donald V. Paradise. Paradise was a Marine, Devil Dog, and all-around World War I war hero. As a member of the Marine Corps League, Wheelock contacted the Marine Archives to see if any of this material would be of interest to them. It was. In fact, they already had a file on Paradise, and they were happy to add to the collection.

Wheelock, the Unit Commander of the Traverse City Young Marines, didn’t want this box of artifacts to just sit in another corner for 40 more years. He saw an opportunity and requested that the local Young Marines unit escort this piece of local history to the Marine Archives in Washington, D.C. The cost of the trip would be over $14,000. That didn’t slow this unit down; through fundraising and community support, they were able to accomplish their goals. Wheelock was floored by the community response: “When people found out what we were doing, it was an overwhelming response from the community. I’ve been in the program for 40 years and never received a response like that.”

While the purpose of their trip was to escort a piece of history, they also had the opportunity to experience some other highlights. They visited monuments, museums, and even the floor of the Capitol Building, escorted by Michigan Rep. Jack Bergman, a Marine himself. “It was amazing getting to go places that people don’t usually get to go,” said Young Marine Patience Moore, a Cherryland member and one of the Young Marines who went on the trip. “Being able to bring the artifacts in when people don’t get to do that, it was overwhelming because it was something I will remember forever,” she continued. The Marine Corps Archives welcomed their unit with open arms, laying out pieces of history, including items from Paradise’s collection, for the Young Marines to see.

With so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these Young Marines, how could they choose a highlight? When asked, Moore said, “Honestly, it was seeing everyone’s faces when they first got to D.C. and walked up the Lincoln Memorial. It was so cool to watch them discover the world is bigger than just Traverse City.” For some of these students, this was their first time out of the city or state. Expanding their horizons is just one of the things the Young Marines program can do for the students in the community.

The Traverse City unit of the Young Marines has an excellent community reputation, but that doesn’t go without the occasional misunderstanding. “A lot of people, when they think of the Young Marines, they think it’s some kind of group where kids who can’t behave themselves go to get squared away,” said Wheelock. That is not the case; this group, built on Marine Corps foundations, teaches kids about leadership, discipline, and teamwork, creating an atmosphere where kids from ages 8 to high school graduation can thrive and develop skills that will serve them well into the future. Our Traverse City Young Marines participate in parades, volunteering, assisting in community celebrations, and outreach campaigns, such as Toys for Tots.

The Traverse City community is fortunate to have a group of young people who are deeply invested in giving back, developing themselves and creating a stronger community. The Traverse City unit was founded in 1972 and is now the longest-running unit in Michigan, celebrating over 50 years. They are a true asset to this community, protecting our past and building a strong future.

For more information about joining or supporting the Traverse City Young Marines, visit youngmarines.org.