The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps supported MCHS and the Michigan City area by participating in numerous events celebrating our community. The MCJROTC Color Guard presented the National Flag at three football games, the Homecoming Pep Rally, and a veterans dinner sponsored by LaPorte County veterans groups to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The cadets marched in the Homecoming Parade and assisted in crowd control at the Homecoming game against LaPorte at Ames Field which was a complete sell out. Other civic projects included help chaperon the Barker Middle School dance, the Howl ‘O Ween event at Ames Field for Michigan City children, and the art exhibition at the Artist Loft in Michigan City.
“Despite our Drill, Rifle, and Cyber Patriot teams gearing up for our competitions, the cadets still have found time to donate time for our school and community,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, commented on the commitment that cadets have to their fellow students and the residents of LaPorte County. “We are already approaching 2000 hours of community service since July 1st. I think that says much about our cadets care for our school district and the Northwest Indiana area.”
The cadets will not receive much rest during November. They will honor the U.S. Marine Corps’ 241st birthday with their military ball on November 4th at the Pine Grove Banquet Hall in LaPorte. The following day, they will march in the Michigan City Parade for Veterans. The cadets will participate in five additional ceremonies honoring veterans, culminating with a ceremony at the high school on Veterans Day, November 11th, at 1:30 pm. The community is invited to this event. The following day, the Cyber Patriot team will have their first competition in a mock cyber attack on a computer information system. One week later, on November 19th, MCHS will host a military skills competition involving 10 schools from Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. The day after Thanksgiving, cadets will help kick off the Toys for Tots campaign. The month will end with the set-up for the school-district wide One City One Sound concert.