MADISON – American Legion, Post 229 recently honored two cadets in Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Sparkman High School.

Sparkman’s Army JROTC Battalion held their annual Awards Day ceremony on February 12. During this ceremony, Americanism Chairperson Tom McKinney and Chaplain Andy Caudle with Post 229 presented two awards to cadets as designated by the school’s Senior JROTC instructor.

Cadet Sergeant First Class Nicholas Cardo at Sparkman received the American Legion Military Excellence Award. This award recognizes a cadet for outstanding performance, demonstration of qualities showing dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline and leadership ability.

In addition, Cardo has mastered a fundamental and patriotic understanding of JROTC training.

In another commendation, McKinney and Caudle presented the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award to Cadet Corporal Timothy Patterson. This honor recognizes academic performance, achieving a scholastic ‘A’ in JROTC or both scenarios.

For the Scholastic Excellence Award, “recipients rank in the upper 10 percent of the JROTC academic class, demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership and actively participate in constructive student activities, such as student organizations or sports,” Post 229 Historian Richard Blanton said.

With each award, the cadet received a medal, ribbon and certificate.

“The American Legion is a strong supporter of JROTC and ROTC programs across the United States,” Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy said. “The purpose of the American Legion youth award programs is to develop America’s future leaders by motivating and encouraging young people, as well as recognizing exceptional performance in the areas of JROTC, citizenship, Americanism, scholarship, music, athleticism and essay endeavors.”

For more information about American Legion, contact Post 229 Adjutant Stacey Harring at P.O. Box 194, Madison AL 35758. Also, call 256-258-8534 or visit americanlegionpost229.org or Facebook/AmericanLegionPost229.