The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) participated in numerous community events over the summer. Cadets supported the Michigan City Grand Prix Boat races at Washington Park Beach, the Drum Corps International (DCI), competition at Ames Field, the Citywide Back-To-School Rally at Elston, and the LaPorte County Health Department Child Car Seat Installation at the Elston Parking Lot. The Grand Prix was two days, the DCI competition was a total of 3 days, and the Back-to-School Rally was two days of preparation and then the rally on August 11th. The rally provided free school supplies for over 1,900 Michigan City students. Cadets did much physical work for the rally as the heat index hovered close to 100 degrees.
Besides community service, cadets also marched in three parades over the summer: the Michigan City Kiddie parade on July 1st, the Michigan City Summer Festival parade on July 2nd, and the LaPorte Independence Parade on July 4th. MCHS MCJROTC ran a leadership camp for three other schools in addition to our cadets from June 8-13 at the St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI. Later that month, cadets visited Washington DC, touring such historic sites as the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials. Cadets also attended the Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks in Washington. The camp and trip, just like all other JROTC activities, were conducted at no cost to MCAS or the cadets. They were funded by the Marine Corps, donations from Michigan City veterans groups, and fundraising.
Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, is optimistic that this will be a banner year for MCHS MCJROTC. “Based on the enthusiasm of our cadets who came in to drill over the summer, I think that we will have a very strong drill team. I anticipate our other major extracurriculars-marksmanship and Cyber Patriot- will also do well,” he said.
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, shares McGrath’s optimism. “ I think that we can earn many awards this year as we strive become the Marine Corps Reserve Association Award recipient as the number one school in our Region,” he said.