thedrifter
11-03-07, 07:11 AM
ROTC honors Marine Corps
November 3, 2007
BY CHARLES M. BARTHOLOMEW Post-Tribune correspondent
PORTAGE -- Wherever you are in Northwest Indiana during the coming week, you won't be far from young men and women observing the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
The Portage High School Marines Junior ROTC unit, one of the oldest in the country, celebrated the 232nd anniversary of the Marines at Oakwood Banquet Hall in Woodland Park.
"We're doing the same ceremony they do all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. We've been doing it here since the program started in 1970," said Maj. John W. Johnston, USMC (retired), who has headed the Portage ROTC program for 12 years.
Under Johnston, the unit reached 100 students 10 years ago and continues to grow every year. There are 235 in the program this year, including drill team classes, he said.
"The Commandant of the Marines has awarded us the Naval Honor School designation, which is given to the top 20 percent of 4,000 ROTCs nationwide. We'll present the plaque to (Portage Township School Board president) Terry Hufford later tonight," Johnston said.
Hufford, who is also Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the chamber will present its Humanitarian of the Year award to the ROTC cadets at its banquet next Saturday.
The evening began with presentation of the colors to John Philip Sousa's "Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)," the Corps motto, supplied by DJs Rolling Sounds of Chesterton.
A three-tiered birthday cake was wheeled in to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." By tradition the first piece went to Sgt. Franklin Ivey, the oldest cadet, to mark the passing of the old guard. Then Pvt. Vanashly Rivera received the second piece as the youngest cadet.
Portage police school resource officer Troy Williams was introduced as a former ROTC cadet and ex-Marine.
Among graduates of the program under Johnston at the ball was Cpl. Matthew Rose, Class of 2006, on leave from active duty at New River Marines Air Station in North Carolina, with his date, ROTC executive officer Tiffany Davies.
Rose said he was proud of "honor, courage, and commitment to the Corps, to our country, and to God" in his two years of service.
Following dinner, the cadet drill team performed. Johnston said the cadets have a busy week ahead, with appearances at similar area events in Highland, Valparaiso, Chesterton and Hobart.
Ellie
November 3, 2007
BY CHARLES M. BARTHOLOMEW Post-Tribune correspondent
PORTAGE -- Wherever you are in Northwest Indiana during the coming week, you won't be far from young men and women observing the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
The Portage High School Marines Junior ROTC unit, one of the oldest in the country, celebrated the 232nd anniversary of the Marines at Oakwood Banquet Hall in Woodland Park.
"We're doing the same ceremony they do all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. We've been doing it here since the program started in 1970," said Maj. John W. Johnston, USMC (retired), who has headed the Portage ROTC program for 12 years.
Under Johnston, the unit reached 100 students 10 years ago and continues to grow every year. There are 235 in the program this year, including drill team classes, he said.
"The Commandant of the Marines has awarded us the Naval Honor School designation, which is given to the top 20 percent of 4,000 ROTCs nationwide. We'll present the plaque to (Portage Township School Board president) Terry Hufford later tonight," Johnston said.
Hufford, who is also Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the chamber will present its Humanitarian of the Year award to the ROTC cadets at its banquet next Saturday.
The evening began with presentation of the colors to John Philip Sousa's "Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)," the Corps motto, supplied by DJs Rolling Sounds of Chesterton.
A three-tiered birthday cake was wheeled in to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." By tradition the first piece went to Sgt. Franklin Ivey, the oldest cadet, to mark the passing of the old guard. Then Pvt. Vanashly Rivera received the second piece as the youngest cadet.
Portage police school resource officer Troy Williams was introduced as a former ROTC cadet and ex-Marine.
Among graduates of the program under Johnston at the ball was Cpl. Matthew Rose, Class of 2006, on leave from active duty at New River Marines Air Station in North Carolina, with his date, ROTC executive officer Tiffany Davies.
Rose said he was proud of "honor, courage, and commitment to the Corps, to our country, and to God" in his two years of service.
Following dinner, the cadet drill team performed. Johnston said the cadets have a busy week ahead, with appearances at similar area events in Highland, Valparaiso, Chesterton and Hobart.
Ellie