Southern High JROTC Army cadets honor local veterans

Nov. 26--OAKLAND -- Cadets from the Southern Garrett High School Army JROTC program recently produced a Veterans Day ceremony for local veterans.

The program brought together veterans from the various branches of the armed services and family members in a program where the cadets presented their thoughts on the values of Veterans Day.

The program was planned and organized by senior cadet Nathan Langford with a staff of cadets from first, second and third year cadets.

"We began to plan this service learning project in early October and we learned that it (the project) takes more than a staff of four to put it together," said Langford. He went on to add that by pulling together many skills from various cadets, the cadets as a whole produced a project that was fitting for the veterans and demonstrated the cadets' ability to plan and organize an event.

Leading the program off was the cadet battalion commander Garrett Owens with opening remarks that thanked all those present and those to whom could not be present for their military service.

Cadet Anna Holtschneider remarks focused on how Veterans Day is used to "celebrate and to honor and to commemorate the dead and the living, the young men who in every war since this country began, have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage."

Following her were cadets Jonathan Pelland and Karrington Paugh who read the history and poem of "Flanders Field."

Cadet Kayla Harris provided a reading on our nation's flag symbols while the flag was folded for presentation.

The JROTC veteran ceremony is one of many activities cadets can do as part of their service learning project. The program brings cadets together to identify a need and then create a project with a structured team work approach.

When second year cadet Sierra Hawley spoke, her remarks echoed the sentiment of many veterans and their families. "I can only imagine how hard (a veteran) has with being away from ... families for such long period of times with little to no communication." She added the thanks of many to the veterans who have kept "this country safe."

At this year's event, the cadets held a flag folding ceremony and presented the flag to the oldest veteran present: World War II veteran Sgt. John Hatch.

Hatch, who served with the 4th Ivy League Division in the Battle of the Bulge, was moved by the cadets' display of citizenship and patriotism.

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