JROTC

When the sun rose on "The Tomb of the Unknowns" at Arlington Cemetary yesterday there was a wreath there. As there always is. But on this Memorial Day.. it was a wreath laid by a group of young Hillsborough County Middle Schoolers.

In Assignment: Education.. a look at what these young people are doing in what is believed to be the only program of its kind in the state.

--[Student Josh Bloom says:] "Your military left.. Your left, your right, now pickup the step. Your left, your right.. Your lay--eee--eft."

Junior ROTC Cadet Captain Jeff Bloom leads these cadets through a marching excercise with the skill of a veteran. This is not play time. This is something these students take seriously. And what makes them unusual is they are members of what is believed to be the only middle school junior rot-cee program in the state.

It was the brain child of Monroe substitute teacher Alex Solera. He thought it would be a positive experience for these young people.

--[Alex Solera says:] "The program has a lot of discipline in it. It offers structure. It offers an environment where they have an opportunity to excel, if they are willing to apply themselves. And it offers an opportunity for them to be recognized."--

And it has done something else for them, as well. Monroe Principal Herman Valdez.

--[Herman Valdez says:] "As it grew we found as they went into uniforms, some of the discipline problems the children were incurring were droppin' off. They were having pride in what they were doing."--

And when you ask these young people why they joined, they do talk about things like pride of uniform.. eventual service to country.. and level-playing field.

--[Student Kim Sauer-Watts says:] "Well, it's a lot of fun and especially because most of the guys think they are better than the girls. And it's nice to show 'em up and say you know I can do it too." --

Discipline.. focus..appreciation for the military.. love of country.. and honor of flag.. These middle schoolers may give hope to those who worry about the next generation.

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