Tristan Begines, of Vancouver, recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Guam and Iwo Jima, where he and 11 other Young Marines from across the country honored the 80th anniversary of the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima.
The group climbed to the summit of Mount Suribachi, the site of the iconic flag-raising by U.S. Marines in 1945.
Begines, a member of the Lewis and Clark Young Marines in Ridgefield, has been part of the program since he was 12 years old. Now 17, he reflected on how the Young Marines had shaped him over the years.
“It’s been a big impact on my life,” Begines said. “Mostly, when it comes to communication and working with others, but my confidence has grown. My ability to work with people that are difficult has grown. I’ve also grown a lot under how I work under pressure.”
Through the Young Marines, he has gained skills in leadership, first aid, land navigation and physical fitness, all while contributing to community service and veteran appreciation projects. He also became a leader within the organization, earning the title of Division 5 Young Marine of the Year, an honor that required him to demonstrate excellence in leadership, physical fitness and knowledge of military history.
“Probably the most rewarding part of my experience is the skills I’ve gained,” Begines said. “I’ve grown a lot as a leader.”
However, he acknowledges that the program is not always easy.
“It’s not all fun. It is a work program too. We try to have fun, but we also try to learn. The physical activities can be tough,” he said.
Begines and five other Young Marines of the Year, along with four from the previous year and two other high-ranking Young Marines, were selected to participate in the recent trip to Iwo Jima. Over the course of a week, the group toured historic sites in Guam, met with World War II veterans, and traveled to Iwo Jima for a solemn remembrance.
The experience of standing atop Mount Suribachi was an emotional one.
“It was definitely a heartfelt moment,” Begines said. “It was an honor, but also a solemn moment. So many Marines fought and didn’t make it back. On the mountain, there were a lot of memorials, a couple of battle crosses and the Marine Corps monument.”
For Begines, the most powerful moment of the trip came later.
“We went down to one of the landing beaches near Mount Suribachi,” he said. “Just knowing that so many Marines landed there and had to fight their way inland ... it really put things into perspective.”
Now back home, Begines is preparing for his next challenge. As a Division Young Marine of the Year, he will travel to Texas later this month to compete for the title of National Young Marine of the Year.
“I feel pretty confident heading to nationals,” he said. “Just like the other five, I know I can hold my weight when it comes to experience. No matter what happens, I’m excited to learn and grow.”
Begines plans to apply to become a pilot in the Marines. He credits the Young Marines for helping him develop into the person he is today.
“The program has a great way of pushing kids to be able to work under pressure and process through it,” he said. “The best way to grow and learn more about yourself is to put yourself in situations that you don’t necessarily want to be in, that don’t make you comfortable.”
