9/11 CEREMONYOn September 11, 2018, The War Eagle Battalion held a ceremony in honor of the lives lost in a terrorist attack 17 years ago. C/LTC DeVane was the MC of the ceremony where he introduced Dean Russell and gave commands to all companies. The cadets and students had a moment of silence and shortly after our Color Guard did the massing of the colors at half-mast. After the event, cadets that went to JCLC received their awards after the ceremony and helped clean up.
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Operation: open house
On September 11th, 2018, Cadets: Brenna Pridgen, Dillon DeVane, Michael Mabry, and Ethan Harman briefed families on what their children will be learning and doing in the program this year. Families got to learn about the different teams and events the battalion participate in and what skills their children will learn.
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irma phase 1
On September 19th, 2017 Astronauts JROTC helped clean up around the school due to hurricane Irma. The cadets worked together to pick up many of the branches that fell. This was the first part of our current Service Learning project to clean up the community starting at the very place our JROTC unit is. All companies participated in the effort and the schools yards are cleaner than ever.
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Irma phase 2On September 29th, 2017, Astronauts JROTC cadets set out to Oak Ridge, a local cemetery in the Titusville area. A large portion of the battalion came to help clean up the property and also the neighboring area. This was the second phase of our War Eagle Battalion service learning project to help the community after the recent storm, Hurricane Irma. It was successful and our efforts to clean the perimeter were well met. The owner was grateful for the help and fed the cadets for their hard work.
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cadet challenge On October 12th and 13th, 2017, as well January 30th, 2018, the Astronaut JROTC participated in a physical endurance test that is part of our Continuous Improvement Plan of the year. The cadets participated in events ranging from push-ups, shuttle-runs, and a one-mile run on our school track with times being recorded in set parameters so our cadets did not overwork themselves. Cadets worked hard to succeed in these challenges and had fun competing with each other, bonding and raising moral of the Battalion.
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Homecoming Parade On October 19th, 2017, the Astronaut JROTC came together with the community to Astronaut High Schools homecoming dance that was followed up that weekend, October 22. The cadets met up at Benet’s Advanced Auto Parts and marched to Dixie Crossroads. The cadets wore their class b’s and presented the 50 state flags throughout Titusville. The color guard for this mission were Roberge, Harman, Olszyk, and Davis.
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cEREMONIAL oATH |
Irma Phase 3On November 18th, 2017, the War Eagle Battalion conducted the third portion of our service learning initiative. The community reached out and asked if we could clean up the LaGrange Cemetery. This old gravesite is home to many historical figures who are a key part to the history and making of Titusville. Cadets worked hard to ensure that all the graves were cleaned and the area was presentable. The people who run the church there thanked us for our hard work and dedication to the community.
Basket brigadeOn November 19, 2017, the 8th annual Turkey Basket Brigade took place at Satellite High School. Cadets from our program drove to help the community provide Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. After hours of work, a total of 2,500 baskets were made and distributed throughout Brevard County. The Founder was very thankful for our contribution and service that she graciously donated more than 60 baskets to our programs cadets. The event ran well and the cadets had fun helping the community.
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On November 3, 2017, a few of our senior cadets stood before Astronaut High School parents, teachers, and students to take their oath into the branch of their choosing. All of them have taken the steps or are in the process of enlistment in the US military. During half-time all the state flags were led out by the programs younger cadets to honor their peers. The crowd went wild when they finished and the game continued shortly after.
Space Coast Marathon Set UpOn November 25th, 2017 volunteering staff members proceeded to River Park in Cocoa Village at 1500 to set up for the Space Coast Marathon the following morning. This involved unloading pallets of pancake mix, eggs, ice bags, as well as several large portable grills. The cadets helped arrange everything for the cooking as well as procedures for the following mornings volunteering cadets so that the operation could be executed as smoothly as possible. They concluded the setup at 1700.
Christmas ParadeOn Saturday December 2nd, 2017 the Astronaut High School War Eagle Battalion led the Mims Christmas Parade for the 16th consecutive year, beginning in 2001. There was approximately 80 cadets that participated in event. Before they marched, all of the cadets formed up in a battalion mass formation and had their pictures taken by C/CPT Mabry. We marched from Mims Elementary to AJ’s gas station on US1. Our cadets passed out pieces of gum to children while marching along this route. We do this parade annually and are a highly respected part of it. Great job to all cadets who participated in this event!
Fort Christmas FieldtripOn Friday, January 12th, 2018, Astronaut High Schools JROTC Battalion headed to Fort Christmas to learn the history of the location, learn and implicate exercise, and have fun. Cadets marched out and loaded onto the busses at 0845, arriving at Fort Christmas by 0915. Cadets were then released to investigate the fort’s historical sites, informational locations, and museums in groups no smaller than two. By 1015 scheduled company verses company activities began, starting with Chicago Ball. Lunch was had as a battalion at 1200. The battalion then did a police call on the Fort Christmas grounds, taking care of trash and other debris. Cadets arrived back at Astronaut High School by 1445.
School Board RecognitionOn January 23rd, 2018 Astronaut High School War Eagle Battalion got recognized by superintendent Blackburn for all the hard work the cadets have put into the program. The cadets have done many volunteer projects to help those affected by Hurricane Irma. In the battalions’ service learning project the cadets cleaned up debris from their school, the beach, and three different non-profit cemeteries. Many of these places would not have the time or people to help clean up debris from the hurricane due to the places being ran by volunteers; most of them being elderly.
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Turkey Dog dayOn Monday the 20th of November, 2017, the cadets of the War Eagle Battalion held a food day. The leadership team decided to extend the offer of hospitality to the facility and staff of Astronaut High School, inviting their teachers for free lunch as a nice thank you for what they do. Cadets brought in chips, drinks, and desserts. SAI Lieutenant Colonel Whalen cooked hotdogs to serve alongside nachos. Volunteering parents served the food until the end of the day. Days such as this are available due to the hard work the cadets put in in previous operations.
Turkey ShootOn Tuesday the 21st of November, 2017, the war eagle battalion hosted a marksmanship event to build relations with the facility of Astronaut High School. This event is held within the wrestling room on school property. SAI Lieutenant Colonel Whalen ran and overseen this event to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Volunteering cadets spot for those who are shooting. Not only does this event build good relations with the teachers of the cadets, but it also increases active knowledge on the handling of firearms and functions as a strong but fun safety class for not only the cadets involved, but also the facility. The teachers are awarded trophies as prizes for amusing achievements.
Space Coast MarathonOn November 26th, 2017 the War Eagle Battalion’s volunteering cadets proceeded to River Park in Cocoa Village to make breakfast for the Space Coast Marathon runners. The shifts for this operation were as follows: 0600 to 1300 and 0800 to 1500. Participating cadets completed an array of tasks such as cooking eggs, pancakes, and bacon and serving those to a few of the five thousand marathon participants. The cadets also worked alongside fellow Brevard JROTC battalions.
Military BallOn December 16, 2017, the Astronaut High School War Eagle Battalion assembled for their seventeenth annual JROTC Military Ball at the Indian River Preserve. Over 90 cadets and their dates showed up for a formal dinner and dance. Before entering the ball room, cadets and their dates walked through an arch of sabers. After everyone was all settled in, we did our introduction, toast, and heard from our guest speaker, Hunter Rader. During the ball the cadets were served a wonderful dinner then danced the night away.
MLK ParadeOn Monday January 15th, 2018, the War Eagle Battalion of Astronaut High School led the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade down South Street, beginning at the Adult Education and Senior Center. The cadet color guard led the parade, followed by the battalion banner. The Leadership team proceeded, leading the battalion formation. Cadences were called by C/CSM DeVane, C/Cpt Rember, and C/Cpt Roberge. The parade ended Saint James Church with the cadets being debriefed in battalion formation, helping put away the equipment, and being released at 1100.
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Madison RecruitmentOn January 29th, 2018 cadets LTC Nixon, MJR Whitworth, CSM DeVane, Mabry, Lugo, Ouzts, Roberge, and Strite went to Madison Middle School during the lunch hour to recruit future cadets. Our cadets wore four different types of uniforms while presenting to incoming freshman students about different teams they could join and more about Astronaut High Schools JROTC Program. Cadets LTC Nixon and MJR Whitworth presented in class ‘A’ uniforms, showcasing the leadership positions available that these future freshmen could obtain. Cadets CSM DeVane and Mabry showcased the ACU uniform for the rifle and raider team. Cadets Lugo and Ouzts wore class ‘B’s to represent JLAB and Drill team while cadets Roberge and Strite showed the everyday and general uniforms of cadets.
Sandwich dayOn Friday, March 2nd, the cadets of the War Eagle Battalion held a meatball sandwich day. Cadets brought in chips, drinks, and desserts. Volunteering parents served the food until the end of the day. Days such as this are available due to the hard work the cadets put in in previous operations. |
Irma phase 5On January 27th, 2018, cadets from the War Eagle Battalion came together to help clean up debris from hurricane Irma. The cadets met up at Eddie Creek, in between piers 6 and 7 at 0900 with Park Ranger Jeff. Park Ranger Jeff briefed and informed the cadets on the history surrounding Eddie Creek and Playalinda beach. During the clean up the cadets picked up sticks, cans, wrappers and bottles while enjoying the ocean breeze. Not only did the cadets help clean up from after hurricane Irma but they also aided the environment by preventing seafaring animals from getting ill due to trash and debris. The cleanup concluded by 1100 and cadets were debriefed before being released.
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