Michigan City High School (MCHS) conducted a ceremony to honor veterans on Friday, November 9th, in the school gymnasium. The ceremony was conducted by the school band, choir and Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) and was open to the public. The guest speaker was State Senator Mike Bohacek of Michiana shores. He cited the example of Michigan City native and Medal of Honor recipient Danny Bruce of what it means to serve your country. Bohacek encouraged the student to use Bruce’s example of total unselfishness to the point of giving his life to save his fellow Marines to emulate in their own lives for their fellow Americans. This attitude of putting the needs of others, the needs of our country, above our own needs, is the foundation on which our nation is built.
The ceremony was a modified military parade. The MCJROTC provided the troops for the military drill, as well as a demonstration of exhibition drill modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Exhibition drill is “fancy” drill, involving the spinning and throwing of rifles, with the routine left up to the imagination and ingenuity of the cadets. The band played military music, to include the armed forces medley. During the medley, veterans were asked to stand and be recognized when their service song was played. The choir sang the National Anthem, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful. A moving part of the ceremony was the band playing taps for the remembrance of those who gave their lives in the service of our country. The ceremony concluded with the traditional Pass in Review by the Color Guard and Marching Platoon. The students will not have much time to rest on their laurels. The MCJROTC will be hosting the Midwest Sectional Drill Championship next Saturday, November 17th at MCHS. 14 schools will be participating for the chance to eventually compete for the MCJROTC National Championship in Washington, DC on April 13th. The Choir and Band will continue their preparation for the One City One Sound District-wide concert on December 6th. Both of these events are open to the public and are free.