JROTC’s Baltimore trip teaches history

Staff report

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East High School’s Army JROTC traveled to Baltimore, Md., last month, visiting famous sites and learning some history.

They toured historical Fort McHenry and learned how our country’s national anthem came to be. Students were surprised to learn that Francis Scott Key was actually sitting on a British ship watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry when he came up with the words for what is now known as our national anthem. The cadets also had the opportunity to tour Fort Meade and eat Army cuisine at the dining facility.

Students learned that military installations offer a lot for military members and their families. Hospitals, housing, swimming pools, gyms, baseball fields, the Post Exchange and a Commissary, to name a few, were observed.

One student noted that the fort is like its own community. Students had the opportunity to observe some of the Nation’s top Army JROTC units during the Eastern Regional National Drill Championships. Cadets learned the type of discipline that is needed to be successful at the national level. East High’s JROTC finished their trip with a tour of Antietam National Battlefield and Cemetery. Students had the opportunity to dress up as a Civil War soldier and learn what soldiers and civilians had to endure during the battle at Antietam.

They learned that President Abraham Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclamation speech at Antietam.

These students and staff attended this trip: Luis Guzman, Fashion Taylor, Nazeer Duncan, William Boylen, Denesha McGee, Lisiyaidilly Flores, Joshua Morales, Jekiel Rodriguez, Kalynn Agosto, Aleia Marshall, Evonne McKinnon, Jonathan Borrero, Darien Dozier, Mathew Boylen, Reggie Daniels, Rhonda Johnson, Tanisha Lopez, Alvin Sims, Elliott Graham, Montel Craft, Alonzo Clark, Alaya Crockett, Suntierra Dudley, Blanca Gonzalez, Quianna Pulliam, Ericka Rowe, Allen Schulte, Micah Viera, Ernest White, Al’Jonae Phillips, Elvena Marshall, Sgt. First Class John Szewzyck and Master Sgt. Douglas Moon, both retired.