This is a selection of photos that were taken specially to show you children who are trained in the Christian and military values, and the embrace of American exceptionalism and manifest destiny, that make up the ‘new Americanism’.
From Kayla Wayman and other Civil Air Patrol students at the week-long CAP camp, en route to the Air and Space Museum to look at vintage military aircraft and missiles to young Marines who are required to memorize the Young Marine Obligation, all these photos will give you thrills.
Check them out for more information and start to see our world through photos!
CAP Joint Dakota Encampment week in Rapid City, South Dakota
Kayla Wayman and other Civil Air Patrol students at the week-long CAP camp, en route to the Air and Space Museum to look at vintage military aircraft and missiles. Blesener’s exhibition The Making of a Patriot is at Anastasia Photo Gallery, New York, until 1 April.
All photographs: Sarah Blesener/Alexia Foundation/Catchlight Fellowship, in partnership with CIR/Reveal
Young Marines attend a ball at a local VFW, Hanover, Pennsylvania
Garett, a high school senior and member of the Young Marines, dances with his girlfriend at his local Veterans of Foreign Wars centre. The Young Marines is a patriotic education program with around 10,000 students nationwide, aged eight and over
Students practise a room-clearing drill in the Border Patrol Explorer Program, Kingsville, Texas
At the US Border Patrol Station in Kingsville, Texas, students use the ‘Virtu 300’ reality program, which helps train individuals in law enforcement in real-life scenarios with active shooters. The Explorer program is for students aged 14-20, and is sponsored by the Boy Scouts and Homeland Security
Theodore Roosevelt Educational Campus celebrates its 7th annual JROTC Military Ball at the Villa Baron Mansion, Bronx, New York
The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, a federal programme for high schoolers sponsored by the US armed forces, is one of the largest youth programmes in the world, with more than 300,000 enrolees
Marine Military Academy, Harlingen, Texas
This all-boys institution hosts a summer camp on its academic campus. The boys, aged 12-18, engage in physical, mental and weapons training, in preparation for careers in the US Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps
Youth of Watford City and Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota
Jamison, Jade, Gregory and Nick celebrating the Fourth of July holiday in 2017. The boys are saying goodbye to one of their friends, Logan, who leaves in two days for boot camp with the Marines
Utah Patriot Camp, Herriman, Utah
More than 900 students attend Utah Patriot Camp annually. The week-long day camp teaches the constitution, American values, military history and lessons on God’s word. It strives to create patriots, and is for elementary children aged six and up
Young Marines in Hanover, Pennsylvania
Eleven-year-old Bailey Vanderpool attends a meeting focusing on drug awareness. The Young Marines is a nationwide not-for-profit organisation with 300 units and over 13,000 members, aged eight and above. It was founded in 1959 to promote ‘mental, moral and physical development … and fidelity to the United States and its institutions’
Young Marines attend a ball at their local VFW, Hanover, Pennsylvania
Young Marines are required to memorize the Young Marine Obligation: ‘From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set an example for all other youth to follow, and I shall never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my country and its flag, my parents, myself, or the Young Marines’