POST FALLS — Jordan Jenkins has a hunger for history.

Marcus Langlois wants to travel to honor veterans.

Donald Callihan envisions creating memories to share when he's a father.

The three members of the North Idaho Young Marines will have those desires realized when they travel to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Wednesday for the 75th anniversary of the attack that led the United States into World War II.

"Twenty years from now I want to tell my kids that I was there and did what I could to help," said Callihan, a Coeur d'Alene High sophomore.

The three teens will be joined by Jason Jenkins, one of the youth nonprofit's executive officers, Jordan's father and an Army veteran. It will be the first time for all of them to visit Pearl Harbor.

They will march in a parade with other Young Marines from across the country, eat dinner and sleep on the USS Missouri "Mighty Mo" battleship, clean a beach as community service, participate in a scavenger hunt and attend a luau.

"One of my goals as a Young Marine has been to travel and honor veterans," said Langlois, a homeschool student from Spokane.

North Idaho Young Marines, which meets weekly at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3603 in Post Falls, recently celebrated its 20th year. It is part of a national nonprofit that's sponsored by the Marine Corps League, but is not affiliated with the military. Its mission is teaching boys and girls ages 8 to 18 to live healthy, drug-free lifestyles by instilling military values such as discipline, teamwork and leadership.

Jordan Jenkins, a Post Falls High freshman, said he's excited about the trip to Pearl Harbor because he's intrigued about the history of World War II and other wars.

"I want to honor the people who fought (at Pearl Harbor) and learn more about what happened," he said.

Jason Jenkins said one of the biggest highlights in Hawaii will be staying on the Missouri. Now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor, the Missouri was decommissioned in 1992.

"There is limited access (to bunk) on the ship, so we are so happy that another Young Marine unit reached out to us and asked us to join them," Jason said.

Callihan said it will be humbling to see the USS Arizona Memorial, which marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 Marines and sailors killed on the battleship.

"In that day and time, if anyone saw the Arizona coming into a harbor, they'd be either extremely terrified or really happy because it was a really big weapon and a symbol of our military strength," he said.

Each of the members of the North Idaho Young Marines headed to Hawaii earned $1,500 to fund the trip themselves. That meant a busy summer of landscaping, gardening, selling products, helping folks move and other fundraising methods.

"It was a long summer of fundraising, but it well worth it," Jason said. "When veterans understood what we were trying to raise money for, you could see the appreciation in their eyes for us wanting to honor something like that."

The Pearl Harbor trip is one of several opportunities offered to Young Marines. There are other excursions such as scuba and flight schools. The group offers color guards and volunteers at events such as the Ironman triathlon, Womens Warrior Retreat and Relay for Life.

"I was a rowdy, irritable young kid, but Young Marines calmed me down to set goals in life," said Callihan, who plans to join either the Marines or Navy.

Langlois said Young Marines helped him find "inner motivation."

Jordan, who is leaning toward joining the Marines, said the youth nonprofit has helped solidify his childhood goal of serving his country. He said being at the Pearl Harbor anniversary event will be something that he will remember for the rest of his life and one that will go well beyond the learning experience that textbooks provide.

"It will be amazing to walk where it all happened," he said.