Brewer JROTC cadets Zach Yates, Jasmine Blocker, Shelby Rascoe and Jonathan Sturtevant performed color guard duties at a Veterans Day Program at Cotaco School Thursday. | Clif Knight

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Brewer High School’s JROTC cadets depicted the polish of a well-trained military unit as they presented a Veterans Day Program at Cotaco School on Thursday.

From the Pledge of Allegiance led by Maryanna Lushbough to the playing of taps by Blake Green, the cadets didn’t miss a beat in entertaining, exemplifying American patriotism and showing honor to veterans that served in the military before them.

Brewer High School’s Chorus, led by director Jennelle Yancey, added live music to the program by singing three patriotic songs, much to the delight of students.

A hat ceremony was performed by cadets to recognize veterans by the branch of service in which they served. Hats were placed in empty seats, representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.  As the fight songs of the different branches of service were sung, veterans and family members stood and were applauded.

A POW/MIA ceremony was conducted to recognize military personnel who were taken as prisoners or reported missing in action and never found. Participants were Kobe Kelsoe, Zoe Bonno, Harley Cater, Jacquie Smith, Dallas Bennett and Kasey Badger.

A reading and demonstration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was presented by Zoe Bonno, the reader, and Steven Sturtevant, the soldier marching the 21-step path in front of the tomb.

In a salute to all veterans, Kasey Badger read the poem “It’s the Veteran” and Katelyn Majors read an essay entitled “Remember Me?”

Veterans Day Program sponsor Cindy Greene applauded the JROTC cadets for the professional manner in which they presented this year’s program.

“We have been dong this for about 15 years and we try to do something different every year,” she said. “Students wrote invitations and handled decorations. After that, we turned everything over to the cadets and they did such a wonderful job.”