Heritage High School’s MCJROTC cadets experienced a unique honor and a highlight of their high school Marine Corps JROTC career when they took a trip to Washington D.C. and participated in laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Departing the evening of March 30 and arriving in D.C. the morning of March 31, the cadets visited the Archives Museum housing the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They stayed at Anacostia Joint Military Base, close to the heart of D.C. The next day four of the history-making cadets had the very special honor and privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. The four ROTC cadets that participated were: Cadet Capt. Amanda Stover, Cadet 1st Lt. Jacob McGrath, Cadet 2nd Lt. Joseph Kim, and Cadet Cpl. Quinton Milsap. The four cadets began their quest to lay the wreath in 2009 as freshman, and four years later their request was approved.
Following the ceremony, the HHS students were greeted by Senator Chambliss’ aide, Allie Schleisman and the Senator’s military liaison, Igor Dubinsky. The cadets went on to visit 8th and I and the Commandants home, got a personal performance from the Silent Drill Team and the Navy Honor Guard and met the Air Force Band. They visited prominent sites including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian, the Navy Art Museum, and the National Museum of Marine Corps in Quantico. They also stopped in Quantico, Virginia, visiting a place that may house their future, the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School where they watched Marine Corps martial artists perform hand-to-hand combat at the Basics School. The cadets got the chance to participate at a rifle training simulation course.
The cadets said it was truly an unforgettable, great experience that they will cherish forever.
