Sabrina Holden – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Lakewood Ranch high school (LRHS) junior reserve officer training corps (JROTC) has the responsibility of leading students in the Pledge of Allegiance every day, as well as putting up the flags in the morning.

JROTC is separated into four companies (or class periods) they are Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. Each week a different company is selected for the Pledge of Allegiance and flag responsibilities.

LRHS JROTC instructor Col. Lori Renwick stated, “The JROTC program at LRHS posts the flags daily to represent the program and the nation as a whole as we are all united under the flag.”

A group of three or more cadets from the chosen company will come to school early in the morning and together they will work to put up the flags, they will start with the American flag and then do the Florida state and school flag. Making sure to always keep the American flag above the others.

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Not only does this group of Mustangs put up the flags, but they also take them down in the afternoon. They will first take down the school and state flag and lastly take down the American flag. The American flag must be folded correctly to show honor and respect for the flag; at the end the flag should be in a triangle-like shape and show only the union portion of the flag (blue and stars).

Squad leader Riley Cochran stated, “Flags gives people the opportunity to honor our flag through a ceremony we do when we put it up in the front of the school.”

As well as the flags each day, a different cadet from the selected company will say the Pledge of Allegiance. The student will say the Pledge of Allegiance and hold for a moment of silence at the beginning of first period, honoring our flag and the nation.

JROTC has done these traditions for a long time and will continue doing these responsibilities, representing the JROTC community and the duties they partake in.

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