[Hamilton, Ohio] – The EHS Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Color Guard had the distinguished honor of presenting the colors at the first annual Butler County Veterans Appreciation Day, held on Saturday, August 24th at RiversEdge Park in Hamilton. The event brought together the community to celebrate the service and sacrifice of veterans from across the county.
The Butler County Veterans Appreciation Day, a newly established tradition, aimed to recognize and honor the contributions of veterans from all branches of the U.S. military. The day featured a variety of activities, including a keynote speech, live music, and a special recognition ceremony for the veterans.
The EHS JROTC Color Guard, known for their precision and dedication, opened the event by presenting the American flag and rendering honors to the nation's colors. Their participation underscored the values of patriotism, professionalism, and service that are at the core of the JROTC program and aligned with the event's mission to honor those who have served.
"We are honored to be part of an event like this,” said Master Sergeant Ronald Baker, the Edgewood High School JROTC Drill Instructor. “Participating in an event like this provides our cadets with a valuable opportunity to give back to the community. What is particularly awesome about a Veterans Appreciation event like this is that it allows the cadets to pay tribute to the local veterans who have made such significant sacrifices for our country. The fact that the cadets performed their duties in such an exemplary fashion speaks volumes about the level of commitment our cadets have to our core values of service before self and excellence in all we do. It makes me incredibly proud as an instructor and member of the community to see my cadets not only volunteer for such events - but to perform so well when paying tribute to the veterans in Butler County. It’s opportunities like this that make it so rewarding to be an Air Force JROTC Instructor."
The ceremony began at 5:00 pm, with the Color Guard's presentation of the colors marking the start of the day's proceedings. Veterans, their families, and members of the Butler County community attended and participated in this meaningful event.
For more information about the Butler County Veterans Appreciation Day or the EHS JROTC program, please contact Lt Col Scott Van Schoyck (scott.vanschoyck@edgewoodschools.net) or MSgt Ron Baker (ron.baker@edgewoodschools.net).
About EHS JROTC
The EHS JROTC citizenship program is dedicated to developing the leadership abilities and character traits of its cadets. Through rigorous training, leadership activities, and participation in community service events, EHS JROTC cadets learn to live the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all they do thereby setting the cadets up to be successful in high school and beyond.