NHS Yellowjacket Battalion Report for January 2003

The school year is passing quickly, but that's not stopping our cadets from working hard and having fun. On Saturday, 14 December, the battalion held our 7th annual formal dining-in at the Sterl National Guard Armory.  The Color guard began the evening with a precise and dignified presentation of the U.S., Delaware, and unit flags. We were very fortunate to have Cedars Church of Christ minister, Bill Williams as our guest speaker.  The cadets enjoyed every minute of his speech, which focused on everyday heroes and the attitudes which produce them. Our Drill Team did a wonderful job with the POW (prisoner of war) /MIA (missing in action) ceremony; it was one of their best performances, ever. We also made a special presentation to Army National Guard SGT Mark Taylor, who once again had provided invaluable support to a cadet function. As ever, cadets enjoyed a bountiful meal--catered by former C/Command SGT Major C.J. Slack. The cadets then spent the remainder of the evening dining, socializing and winning scores of classy door prizes.  This year's dining-in was once again a hugely successful event, a time of tradition, ceremonies, companionship, unit pride, great food and great fun.

Our community service chairperson, C/2^nd Lieutenant Ashley Connell has at last picked standing members for the committee. One representative serves from each LET level. Congratulations to cadets Amanda Gibson, Matthew Englehart, and Sorina James.  We are positive that each cadet will do his or her best in these duties which are so vital to our sound relationship with school, community, and state.  Our drill team and color guard were looking forward to going to Lake Clifton High School in Baltimore for a drill competition on 7 December, however due to the wintry weather, were unable to attend; but that wont stop our cadets.  They are already preparing for another competition on February 1^st, to be hosted by Glasgow H. S. Air Force JROTC.  Maybe we will once again relieve our blue-suited, cross-town friends of a batch of trophies. As always, our adventure-bound Raiders are working hard and preparing for raider challenge in March. They will use every good weather training day until then to prepare.

Unfortunately, on Thursday 2 January, a detail of 12 cadets, under the command of the battalion commander, C/LTC David Upperco, had to take part in an honor guard at the funeral of Anthony Robinson, a 9^th grader LET-1. Anthony was a highly motivated and enthusiastic cadet, and we were proud to honor his family and his memory. Cadets stood vigil in pairs both at the casket and at the door of St. Pauls U.A.M.E. Church. Our sentry relief rotation, every 15 minutes, was a solemn and dignified ceremony in itself. It was a very tough thing to do, but the cadets stayed strong, not for themselves, but for a fellow cadet, our young companion. Their superb bearing and conduct received abundant gratitude and praise. We take pride in the knowledge that when truly tough situations, requiring a sense of duty and discipline occur, our school, community, and Newark families turn to the Yellowjacket Battalion.

C/1LT Shonnise Wilson