HICKORY, NC (November 12, 2016)…Local Area High School JROTC units celebrated Veterans Day with a special drill competition hosted by Blue Ridge Harley Davidson of Hickory. Over 150 local high school JROTC cadets participated in the 2016 Veterans day event Saturday 12 November at the Blue Ridge Harley Davidson dealership.
The Veterans Day event is a unique experience for many of the high school cadets because they get a chance to compete against Army, Navy, and Air Force high school JROTC units. Seven high schools from Catawba, Burke, and Caldwell Counties competed in marching and drill events, including color guard presentations, armed drill marching events and unarmed drill events. Event winners included Bunker Hill High School for their color guard presentation, South Caldwell High School for armed drill squad, St Stephens High School for un-armed squad drill, and West Caldwell High School for armed and unarmed platoon drill. Also winning trophies at the event were Newton-Conover High School and Maiden High School. The event was judged by local area recruiters from all military services.
A large number of Veterans and JROTC cadet family members attended the event. Local high school cadets took advantage of the opportunity to get to know local veterans as well as students from other high schools and JROTC units. The Hickory Naval Aviation Museum attended the Veterans day event and brought their Navy F-14 fighter aircraft cockpit display. Cadets, parents and Veterans alike enjoyed the opportunity to climb into the cockpit and see what it is like to be in a Navy Fighter jet “front seat.” Blue Ridge Harley Davidson also hosted a BBQ picnic lunch for all the guests and competitors. After lunch, the Veterans Day Salute concluded with recognition for the members of the local HOG chapter who are Veterans, the traditional setting of the POW/MIA table, and a flag folding ceremony and presentation on behalf of all veterans in the HOG chapter.
Article and photo provided by:
David Brown
CDR USN (ret)
Senior Naval Science Instructor
South Caldwell High School