The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) participated in six different ceremonies to honor military servicemen and women who gave their lives in the service of our country. These events were the rededication of the PFC Danny Bruce Medal of Honor monument in Washington Park, May 20th; flag emplacement on veterans’ graves, Greenwood Cemetery, May 24th; Westville Memorial Service, May 24th; Michigan City Memorial Day Parade, May 26th; Memorial Day Ceremony, Greenwood Cemetery, May 26th; and the Memorial Day Ceremony, Trail Creek, May 26th.
Cadet Captain Alex Wyman, the cadet company executive officer, said that it was a privilege to honor those who died in military service. “Most people just think of Memorial Day as the start of summer, but we are taught in the JROTC that it is much more than that. Our instructors emphasize that we can never forget the sacrifices made by so many, some of whom were not much older than I am. We owe our great American way of life to those brave men and women who gave their all,” he said.
Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor at MCHS, stated his admiration for the cadets who dedicated much time to participate in these ceremonies. “Most students look at Memorial Day weekend as a chance to relax prior to taking on final exams. Our cadets are very unselfish with their time, devoting it to continuing one of the true hallowed traditions of our nation. They represent the honor and commitment that we teach in the MCJROTC, “he said.
The cadets will continue that dedication this summer, attending three different leadership camps, as well as supporting the community in numerous service projects and public events. The camps will be conducted at no expense to the school district or the cadets. They are funded by the Marine Corps and are supplemented by fundraising.