Manassas Young Marines Named Division 1 Unit of the Year

The Manassas Young Marines have earned top honors.

The national Young Marines organization has named the Manassas unit as the Division 1 Unit of the Year, recognizing it as the top-performing unit among 40 units across 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The Manassas Young Marines support the Trunk or Treat event at Manassas Mall.

The award honors excellence in community service, program achievement, and dedication to the organization’s mission. The Manassas unit will now compete against five other division winners for the title of National Unit of the Year. The national winner will be announced at the Young Marines 2026 Awards Banquet on March 13 at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon.

The Manassas unit is led by Unit Commander Deysi Vasquez and includes 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.”

Young Marines graduates and instructors stand proudly in uniform, positioned between the U.S. flag and the Young Marines flag. Behind them are patriotic decorations and displays, emphasizing the importance of the ceremony.

The Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth education and service program for boys and girls ages eight through high school graduation. The organization focuses on leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Community service played a major role in the Manassas unit’s recognition. Members contributed hundreds of hours supporting parades, serving as color guard, and assisting with veterans’ appreciation events.

The unit participates annually in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., the Manassas Christmas Parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Manassas Fourth of July Parade, and the Veterans Day Parade. They also serve as a color guard for numerous local ceremonies and events.

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.

One of the group’s largest outreach efforts is its involvement in the Red Ribbon Week Trunk or Treat event at Manassas Mall. During the event, members interact with hundreds of local families, sharing information about drug prevention and healthy choices.

The unit has also expanded its Drug Demand Reduction efforts by speaking directly with local businesses and residents about the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle. Members collected signatures from community members pledging to remain drug-free and distributed red cord bracelets promoting prevention awareness.

Executive Officer Celia Medina Palmieri said the program’s impact goes far beyond drills and ceremonies.

“When you invest time, guidance, and encouragement in a young person, the impact doesn’t end in the moment,” Palmieri said. “The lessons, values, and the confidence they build extend outward into the communities they will one day lead.”

Since its founding in 1959 with a single unit, the Young Marines organization has grown to more than 200 units with over 5,000 youth members and nearly 2,000 adult volunteers across 40 states, the District of Columbia, and overseas locations, including Okinawa, Japan.

For more information about the Manassas Young Marines, visit members.youngmarines.org/unit/manassas/page. More information about the national organization is available at YoungMarines.org.