SOUTHWICK – Aynsley Davidson of the Westover Air Base Young Marines approached the Select Board on Monday night about her proclamation for Southwick to become part of Red Ribbon Week.
A national education and prevention initiative, Red Ribbon Week raises awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and is celebrated from October 23 to October 31 of every year.
Aynsley Davidson of the Westover Young Marines is seen holding the proclamation with Select Board Chairman Joe Deedy. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The Young Marines is a national youth service and education program for boys and girls ages eight-years-old through high school.
Davidson, a Southwick native and junior at Westfield Technical Academy, is a part of the Young Marines at Westover. Representing her Young Marines troop, Davidson informed the Select Board that this year’s Red Ribbon Week would be focused on honoring Enrique Camarena. A Drug Enforcement Agency Agent, Camarena died on February 7, 1985 while trying to hunt down a drug cartel in Mexico. He was abducted by corrupt police officers in Mexico and then tortured and murdered.
Davidson felt like honoring Camarena was important, due to his dedication of trying to stop the war on drugs.
“That’s a big part of what the Young Marines does is carry on that drug-free lifestyle,” said Davidson.
The 16-year-old Young Marine also hopes Red Ribbon Week will help show people a life without drugs.
“They can spread it to another person and realize you can have a nice life without falling into the life of drugs,” said Davidson.
The Young Marines of Westover also do numerous community service for veterans-related events.
At the end of the meeting, the Select Board made the motion to accept the proclamation and have Southwick become a part of Red Ribbon Week.
