From Y Camp to the Marine Corps

YMCA Camp counselor Shane has gone from the woods of Idaho to the war zone of Iraq, and the lessons Shane learned as a camp counselor had an impact overseas as well:

"Most Marines have only three core values — God, Country, Corps — but I have seven: God, Country, Corps, Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. These core values I took over with me in my two tours in Iraq, and with over 1,000 combat missions under my belt, I never once let any of those core values stray from my conscience.

"I feel that because of some of things I learned at camp, me and the majority of my squad came home. I also take pride that because of the foundation that was instilled in me, I know I also saved a lot of Iraqis' lives who I knew if I met under different circumstances could have had a different outcome."