Marines Celebrate Proud Tradition

   It was like no other birthday party I'd ever been to. As we sat at a banquet table at the Gwinnett Marriott, a JROTC cadet drew his sword. The Color Guard made way for cadets who marched in with a cake for US Marine Corps 228th birthday celebration.
   In USMC tradition, Cadet Major Matt Miller, age 19, cut the cake with his sword and served the guest of honor, William J. Byrne, the oldest cadet Madsen Routon, age 19, then the youngest cadet, Joseph Estes, age 14.
   After dinner, Byrne related his experiences with the Clydesdale horses. Each horse is placed to maximize individual strength for the benefit of the whole team. In like fashion, JROTC helps young people identify their strengths and use them for the benefit of society.
   Known as "the few, the proud," the 94 Parkview cadets live up to that reputation. In a major competition this year, the unit claimed two third-place prizes in unarmed drill events. Sean Allen and Jonathan Ludwikowski, both sophomores, earned Meritorious Mast for outstanding leadership in calling drill. 
There are also day-to-day incentives, such as the Cadet of the Quarter Award, which recognizes recipients as having "poise, professionalism and maturity" beyond their years. Lt. Col. Denis Carruth bestowed this honor upon Cadet Ander Stephens, age 14, at this formal event.
   Of the JROTC program Master Gunnery Sergeant Paul Mackey said, "We do not push the military. This is about building leadership skills." 
   Booster Club member, Re Baretela transports her daughter Julie and four other Brookwood students to Parkview every day. She wishes more students could have this opportunity to develop leadership skills.
   "The purpose of public education is to invest in the kids' future and motivate kids to excellence, so it would be nice if the schools system provided transportation to ROTC. A lot of kids would be there but they don't have the ability to go back and forth."
   Even better Baretela said would be to have JROTC offered at every high school. Only four Gwinnett high schools, Parkview, Shiloh, Duluth and North Gwinnett sponsor a JROTC program. 
   Baretela noted, "If you get into the managerial language of the corporate world, it's the same key objectives as those they teach in JROTC. These are qualities students can take with them everywhere they go."
   Evidence of USMC JROTC leadership is everywhere. The Parkview Color Guard opened a game for the Gwinnett Gladiators. Cadets laid sod at Highpoint Community Church in Lilburn. The help maintain Mountain Park Park and sort clothes at the Lilburn Coop, They assist Elks Lodge 1602 to feed veterans in nursing homes and the Hosea Williams Foundation to feed the hungry in Atlanta. Their traditional Toys for Tots drive is underway.
   Young Marine Corps JROTC leaders are making a positive impact all over Metro Atlanta. These few have every reason to be proud. And besides that, they really know how to party.

112003

Archive