Young Marines serve as color guard for Padres

The Young Marines of Camp Pendleton served as the color guard for the national anthem at the San Diego Padres game July 5.

Two staff members accompanied the four members of the Young Marines who participated as the color guard prior to the Padres’ home game against the Florida Marlins.

“It was outstanding,” said Patti Estep, the executive officer of the Eagle Young Marines of Camp Pendleton.

Karen Madden, who works for the Padres as the team’s coordinator of entertainment, invited the Young Marines to serve as the color guard. The Young Marines had also performed color guard duties prior to a 2006 Padres home game. “We’ll probably do it again before the season’s over with,” Estep said.

The Young Marines program of the Marine Corps League is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 17 who are interested in a well-rounded, year-round program with emphasis on the traditions and values of the United States Marine Corps. The purpose of the Young Marines is to provide an organized program devoted to development of character and physical fitness in American youth.

“The San Diego Padres have been absolutely wonderful and encouraging to our youth. They have been very supportive,” Estep said. “They have just treated us wonderfully.”