Health & Fitness
West Orange High Air Force Junior ROTC Leads Memorial Day Event
Students participate in township ceremony.
On Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 at 10AM at West Orange Township Hall the West Orange High School Air Force Junior ROTC Mountaineer Squadron produced and led the Memorial Day ceremony.
Under the direction of Major Joseph Marchesini USAF (ret) and SMSgt Clarence Yoh, USAD (ret) and MC’d by Major Marchesini, the hour long remembrance included the National Anthem and Taps by the West Orange High School Brass Quintet, a solo performance of "Proud to be an American" by senior Chris Wold. The AFJROTC students posted the colors, escorted the Township Council for the wreath dedication, and retired the colors.
Special recognition for earning an appointment to the US Naval Academy was given to senior Dylan Pennell who was instrumental in brining the AFJROTC to West Orange High School. Upon graduating from the Naval Academy Dylan will become a Naval Officer and serve a minimum of 5 years in the US Navy.
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In addition Chinaza Anuamadi, class of 2014 was recognized for ‘stepping up to serve her country.’ She will enlist in the US Marine Corp after graduation.
"The focus of the Air Force Junior ROTC program is leadership training and civic responsibility. Students learn about discipline, self respect, focus, pride in community and country," said WOHS instructor Major Joseph Marchesini. "Participating in the West Orange Memorial Day Remembrance exemplified those qualities for our cadets."
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The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States. The program was originally created on June 3rd, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson as part of the National Defense Act that recognized the need for trained officers to be available in case of war. It was later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act to authorize financial assistance and scholarships to hold and participate in the program.
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) can track its heritage to a program founded in 1911 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Army Lt Edgar R. Steevers. Lieutenant Steevers was assigned as an inspector-instructor of the organized military of Wyoming. During his assignment, he envisioned a noncompulsory cadet corps comprised of high school students. His program was aimed toward making better citizens. Currently fifty-two students at West Orange High School participate in the Jr. AFROTC program.
