While most schools had a holiday on January 16th, the cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) took advantage of school being in session to study Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. One of the most famous speeches in American history, it detailed the late civil rights leader’s vision of our country without racism. After viewing the speech, the cadets discussed the numerous aspects of the speech, from the location where the speech was delivered to Dr. King’s use of metaphors and vivid language that provided concrete images for the thousands who listened to the speech that day.
Cadet Private First Class Tayvain Maxie stated that he was aware of the speech but did not realize how important it was to our nation. “There was so much in Dr. King’s speech that really makes you think and want to learn about what was going on at that time.”
Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, stated that they used the speech as a leadership study. “The Marine Corps JROTC is a leadership program, not a preparation for the military program. I think that this was a great opportunity for us to study one of the great leaders in American history.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, stated that the cadets put much effort into the assignment. “You would think that, being it was a federal holiday, the enthusiasm level for school work would be low. But our kids really did a good job in analyzing the speech.”
The next unit that the cadets will study is the Battle of Gettysburg. Both instructors stated that the emphasis will be on focusing on the decision-making process that commanders on both sides used, and not just a historic battle study. Cadets will also be busy supporting school functions, providing presentations at Barker and Kreuger Middle Schools, and preparing for their next military drill competition in Arlington Heights, IL, on February 4th.