Faith Miller – Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Saturday, the LRHS Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) participated in the Lincoln Middle School Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
The parade was the first battalion-wide event, preceding the LRHS JROTC Military Ball, which will be the second battalion-wide event of the year.
JROTC parades give cadets the opportunity to experience marching at the battalion level. During the marching, multiple first-year (LET-1) cadets from the battalion were selected to hold their respective guidon flags.
Aside from the color guard flags at the front of the parade, guidon flags are used to represent each marching row in the parade; one guidon staff for each company (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta companies).
Alpha Company LET-1 sophomore Chance Miller said, “When I got there, I was surprised to learn I’d be carrying my company’s flag for the parade, but it was cool because that meant I got to march closer to the front of the battalion. It was more fun than I was honestly expecting, and I would do it again.”
LRHS JROTC instructor Maj. Shaun O’Dea has been supporting LRHS JROTC parades since 2021.
O’Dea said, “I am very proud of the Mustang Battalion for their participation in the Martin Luther King Day Parade in Palmetto. We had the highest percentage of participation of all 7 programs in the County, and I believe this reflects the Cadets understanding of the importance of supporting local community events such as this one. “
Stay updated on important LRHS news and share what you like by following our Twitter @MustangsAhead, Instagram @mustangs_ahead, TikTok @mustangsahead and follow the Mustangs Ahead Podcast
“The pride was evident from our cadets, who were marching and representing Lakewood Ranch High School and the Mustang Battalion,” O’Dea continued.
The monthly Mustang battalion newsletter can be found on the JROTC website.
Mustangs interested in participating in the JROTC program can contact Major O’Dea here or Master Sgt.William Cassidy here.
MUSTANGS AHEAD 