The Air Force JROTC Honor Guard from Bob Jones High School performed at a veterans recognition program at the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville, along with several other locations. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Honor Guard students in Air Force Jr. ROTC at Bob Jones High School have been participating in several area events.

During November, the Honor Guard has participated in “Tribute to Heroes” for Veterans Day at Discovery Middle School and a Veterans Day prayer breakfast at Hogan Family YMCA. At the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville, the cadets assisted with a veterans recognition program.

“On Nov. 10, our Honor Guard presented and posted ‘Colors’ at West Madison Elementary School’s veterans program,” retired Chief Master Sargent Ellis Clark said. “Our Honor Guard and mass of JROTC cadets participated in Huntsville’s Veterans Day Parade.” Also, at Madison Village Assisted and Independent Living, “our cadets performed flawlessly and received wonderful comments.”

Cadet Capt. Akeia Williams is Honor Guard Commander. Team members train for command and secondary positions of American flag and detail security who carry rifles denoting protection of the Colors.

Team members are Richard Carr, Jacob Dearmon, Steven Fruehwald, Benjamin Gulley, Brandon Hazlewood, Cierra Heatherly, Miranda Johnson, Andrew Smith, Katlyn Teague, Rachel Toler and Sarah Wroblewski.

Cadets who make the cut for Honor Guard demonstrate “exceptional military bearing and are cognizant of performance and how (this) affects the Air Force’s image,” Clark said.

“The symbolism of presenting the Colors is a reminder of our ‘Symbolism of Freedom and Democracy’ and our strength in unity,” Clark said. “Flags are viewed from left to right. The U.S. Flag denotes the position of honor and power; positions to the right of the U.S. flag denote establishment.”

In all events, they use the U.S. and Alabama flags. Occasionally, they also fly the Air Force Flag, giving the team five members.

“Air Force JROTC is not for everyone; however, the parents of our cadets love the program because they can see the obvious changes in their children,” Clark said. “JROTC isn’t a recruiting tool for the military; it’s an extension of … social science, physical education, basic management and health science, wherein cadets learn life skills.”