JROTC Students to Raise Flag at CHS
Historically, the Cassville R-IV maintenance staff has raised the flag each morning at Cassville High School, however, three students will now be responsible for this important task.
“The American flag has been flying in our country for hundreds of years,” stated Chance Mitchell, second year cadet in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and CHS Senior. “It is an honor to be responsible for flying the flag at my own high school.”
Tori Cole, Jordan Brant and Mitchell will raise the flag at 8:30 each morning before they board the bus to attend JROTC training at Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett.
“We are very proud of Tori, Jordan and Chance and know not only will they do an exceptional job, they will take this honor seriously,” stated CHS Principal Jeff Swadley. “This gives our students an opportunity to take ownership in what is happening at our school, teaches them responsibility and instills a love for country.”
Mitchell joined the JROTC in memory of his grandfather that served in the Vietnam War and in honor of his brother that is currently serving in Australia.
Cole, CHS Junior, joined JROTC this year and is interested in serving in the National Guard or Army upon completion of high school. Cole plans to finish college and pursue a career in education.
Brant, CHS Senior, is also a first year JROTC member and aspires to become a meteorologist, but first plans to join the United States Air Force.
All three students will train under Senior Army Instructor COL(R) Chad E. Sparks to ensure they are handling the flag properly and displaying correct technique while raising the flag. Sparks is an instructor at Scott Regional Technology Center.
“Having the CHS cadets in charge of flag detail is just an example of what we try to instill in our cadets, to give back to our community. I applaud Cassville High School for taking the first step in utilizing our cadets in supporting their schools,” said COL(R) Sparks.
COL(R) Sparks and CHS staff will demonstrate the proper techniques and instruct the students for one week, then the students will begin raising the flag without assistance.
“We teach all our cadets flag etiquette in our Army JROTC curriculum, and have also taught it in some elementary classrooms. This is an opportunity for them to put that knowledge into practice. They will take what we have taught them, and combine it with what the CHS staff will teach them about their particular flag pole and its mechanics,” stated COL(R) Sparks.
“It is important for all of our students to know that service members have defended our flag and many of them have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and for us to be able to fly our flag."