A Well-Deserved Salute

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

The Air Force JROTC Unit at Pottstown High School.

For the 16th consecutive year, the Air Force JROTC Unit 951 at Pottstown High School has been

Photo by Evan Brandt

Schools Superintendent Jeff Sparagana affixes this year's

Distinguished Unit ribbon to the unit flag.

selected as a Distinguished Unit.

"The award recognizes units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force Junior ROTC mission of producing better citizens for America," read a press release announcing the designation.

Here is video shot Thursday of the JROTC Unit's Color Guard at the school board meeting where their designation was announced:



"The objectives of the Junior ROTC program are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline through character education, and to provide instruction in air and space fundamentals," according to the release.

Photo by Evan Brandt
Sparagana congratulates Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Bolar.

Enrollment is open to all young people who are in the 9th grade or higher, physically fit, and are citizens or nationals of the United States.

There are 866 Air Force JROTCs in the United States, the Pacific, Europe and Puerto Rico.

That works out to 133,000 cadets.

There are 80 Pottstown High School and 35 Pottsgrove High School cadets in the Pottstown unit.

Here is video, shot Saturday, May 3, of the JROTC Drill Team performing during ceremonies celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Pottstown School District.