Jasper Recognizes Red Ribbon Week

At last Monday’s Jasper City Council Meeting, Mayor John Weaver and the city council approved a proclamation for Red Ribbon Recognition week and recognized Young Marines Gabe and Athan Bennett for their efforts. The Bennett boys gave a presentation before the Mayor and council. According to the presentation, Red Ribbon week, October 23 through 31 is the oldest and largest drug awareness program in the United States, reaching over 80 million Americans. The Bennett boys are part of the Young Marines, an organization started in 1959 in Waterbury Connecticut. They are part of the North Metro Georgia division, started by Raymond G. Davis. The purpose of the organization is to form leadership quality and encourage a drug-free life style and community, where the motto is, “Strengthening the lives of America’s youth.” Although many units exist in cities across North Georgia, Jasper does not have a Young Marines unit. However, according to the presentation, Jasper is expected to have a unit by this time next year.

After the presentation by the Young Marines, the Mayor read the official proclamation of Red Ribbon week. The council then approved the proclamation and presented it to Gabe and Athan Bennett. The proclamation commits the city to maintaining a drug-free community through drug prevention education activities and recognizes this commitment by wearing red ribbons for the week of October 23 through 31. According to the proclamation, the commitment is perpetual, extending beyond the specified week.

As they shook the Mayor’s hand, the two Young Marines stood stern and seemed dedicated to the commitment and, perhaps, serving our nation in the future.