Joseph Michael Ambs Named Young Marine of the Year

The Young Marines youth organization has named Joseph Michael Ambs, 17, of Westminster, MD, as its Division 2 “Young Marine of the Year.” He is a member of the Carroll County Young Marines in Westminster, MD, under the command of Ralph Dornon. Ambs is a junior at Winters Mill High School.

“I am obviously honored, but I know hard work lies ahead, and that is a little daunting,” Ambs said. “I feel I owe so much to so many who helped me along the way. I need to be the best Young Marine of the Year for my division that I can be.”

Ambs will represent his division in competing with five other regional Young Marines of the Year for the title of National Young Marine of the Year which will be announced at the Adult Leaders’ Conference for Young Marines on May 9, 2015, in Las Vegas, NV.

He joined the Young Marines at age ten, and currently, he is in his seventh year in the program. Since joining, Ambs has traveled with the Young Marines to New York City; Virginia Beach; Window Rock, AZ; and Gettysburg. He was awarded the Distinguished Order of Merit for a project called “Marines Helping Marines.”

“I have had the opportunities to be part of Honor Flights that bring World War II veterans to Washington DC,” he said. “I have also helped welcome home a Battalion of Marines from Afghanistan and visited veterans at Bethesda Navy Hospital. I am so grateful to meet these Americans.”

As Division 2 Young Marine of the Year, Ambs is invited to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima. The year 2015 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the 71st for Guam. Annually, American and Japanese veterans come together for remembrances of their fallen brothers and to recall the fierce battles that took place on the two islands during World War II. The Young Marines act as escorts for the veterans during the trip.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am about Iwo Jima and Guam,” he said. “I am truly humbled. It is the highest honor I can ever hope to have.”

After high school, Ambs plans to go to college where he hopes to play rugby, join NROTC and get his commission in the United States Marine Corps.

“The Young Marines has given me the ability to lead and develop myself,” he said. “However the most important thing that this program has given me is the tenacity to go and achieve whatever I put my mind to. That is absolutely important.”

Ambs is the son of John and Lucy Ambs. His siblings are Isaac and Olivia Ambs.

How it works

The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Young Marine goes through a series of selection processes starting at the unit level, going through battalion, regiment and on to the division. Then one Young Marine of the Year is selected from each division. From these six winners, one will be named the “National Young Marine of the Year” which will be announced on May 9, 2015, at the Adult Leaders’ Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Mike Kessler, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, calls each division winner to congratulate her or him. Then he invites each to travel to Guam and Iwo Jima for the annual Reunion of Honor trip.

“The trip serves as an invaluable history lesson unable to be found in any book,” Kessler said. “I get to know all the Young Marines of the Year and see how each interacts with others. This is important information for selecting the National Young Marine of the Year, but I want to underscore their accomplishments in getting to this level. The competition is tough and the decision to make a selection is a difficult one. We have some quality citizens in these Young Marines and their communities should be very proud of their achievements.”

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 300 units with 11,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com.