Posted on 12/12/2014 10:56:57 AM PST by SandRat
TOMBSTONE – The Tombstone High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Color Guard will be making a national television debut Sunday, Dec. 21, when they present the colors during the Arizona Cardinals football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tom Gross, the school’s JROTC senior army instructor learned Monday the color guard had been asked to present the colors.
“This is by far the biggest event we have done, as it will be on the national broadcast,” said Gross.
The five cadets Gross plans to send are Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Sam Powers, Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Dillon Dahl, Cadet Sgt. Brandon Miller, Cadet Cpl. Jon Wallace and Cadet Pfc. Cyrus Thompson.
The news spread like wildfire once the school learned they had been asked to present the colors. School administrators, faculty and board members offered words of congratulations to the cadets and instructors.
High School Principal Robert Devere sent out the following email message. “On Sunday, Dec. 21, our Color Guard will be presenting the colors for the National Anthem at the Cardinals football game against the Seattle Seahawks,” he said. “This is the Sunday night game of the week and is nationally televised. Congratulations to Chief Gross, Master Sgt. Kilpatrick and all the cadets involved. It is nice to see their hard work recognized.”
School Board member Lillian Hritz also offered words of congratulations.
“We are so proud of the accomplishments of our JROTC,” she said. “Seeing them on national television will give the entire country a glimpse of America’s finest JROTC program. You have our hearty congratulations!”
Newly-elected board member Keith Guin also chimed in.
“This is great news for JROTC and for Tombstone Unified School District,” he said. “Congratulations to all involved.”
Superintendent Karl Uterhardt extended his congratulations.
“This is fantastic! Congratulations to JROTC and Chief Gross and (Master Sgt.) Kilpatrick. Making TUSD look good all the time. Great achievement!”
In addition to the Cardinals game, the THS JROTC Mounted Color Guard, representing one of just two mounted guards in the country, has been invited to ride in the 44th annual Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix on Dec. 27, Gross said.
There was a selection process and the cadets had to get a waiver from parade organizers, as riders under 18 are typically not allowed to participate in the parde.
“We will be going to Phoenix on Friday and staying at the Robinson Rescue Ranch,” said Gross. “As one of two JROTC Mounted Color Guard’s in the country, this is another great opportunity to showcase the cadets.”
A great experience for them!
and publicity for “the Town to tough to die.”
Maybe the Color Guard can inspire the Cardinals to score a touchdown.
Maybe let one of the Mounts, kick the Carinals in the behind.
One of my happiest high school memory was presenting our battalion as commander during our Annual Area Inspection for NJROTC.
That and going into the athletic directors office for my free letter jacket after getting my 3rd rifle letter (6th overall). It was 1984/5 but he was nearly apoplectic that he had to recognize them.
Score one for the good guys!
The Cards need a quarterback. Any cadets they could sign?
Someday, I gotta get to Tombstone. Shameful that a life of living in this great State and there are so many places that I haven’t been to.
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