Cadets from the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy’s Army JROTC program served as an Honor Guard for the Annual Wreath and Rose Laying Ceremony, sponsored by the Treasure Coast Blue Star Mothers Organization. The event is to honor local Gold Star Families who have lost family members in the line of military duty.
Not only did our Cadets serve as the Processional Path Honor Guard for arriving Gold Star Families, but Cadet Command Sergeant Major Ayden Gardner was given the honor of carrying the State Flag as part of the Vietnam Veterans of America organization Color Guard, to begin the ceremony. In addition to both of those great honors, Cadet Kaitlin Simmons led all attendees of the event in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ after the playing of the National Anthem.
The guest speaker of the event was Congressman Brian Mast, who is a 12-year veteran of the US Army. Congressman Mast is a combat-wounded double amputee, stemming from a battle in Afghanistan that occurred in 2010. He stayed after the event to speak with each of the Cadets individually and take pictures as well.
Congressman Mast took time to discuss some specific opportunities to attend the US Military Academy, otherwise known as West Point.
A very special thanks to the following Cadets for representing the Panther Battalion JROTC program with the utmost professionalism today:
Cadet Cruz Cruz
Cadet Malakii Wheeler
Cadet Kaitlin Simmons
Cadet Charles Thaxter
Cadet Nicholas Hammett
Cadet Nathaniel Haney
Cadet Ayden Gardner
Cadet Maalik Banks
