African American Veterans Appreciation Brunch
On Saturday February 29, at the ABCD Thelma Burns Building, The African American Community of Boston held an African American Veterans Appreciation Brunch. The John D. O'Bryant NJROTC Color Guard and cadets were invited to perform the colors ceremony, and to help serve veterans and others in the community who came to the brunch. The John D. O’Bryant NJROTC wasn’t the only JROTC unit that participated as volunteers at the brunch, South Boston High Army JROTC also helped serving those apart of the community who came to the event. The O’Bryant NJROTC cadets showed up extremely early, at 9:00am in order to help set up tables and meet the crew that were in charge of the events. Next, around 10:00am The O’Bryant NJROTC Color Guard team met up with the 54th Regiment to go over the Color Guard routine for the ceremony. The team is commanded by Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, Maureen Baumiller who is also the American Flag. The Navy flag was held by Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, Monica Tran, Left Riffle was held by Cadet Petty Officer Second Class, Hannah Lieu, and Right Riffle was held by Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Anthony Montas. The team was faced with the challenge of being thrown into an Army style Color guard routine, but through working with the 54th Regiment and hard work, they not only executed the routine “flawlessly” as described by one of the Army veterans, but the team learned to work and overcome their challenges. The ceremony began at 10:00am and there were many in the community who began to fill the hall. JROTC cadets both from O’Bryant High School and South Boston High School immediately started escorted guests to their seats, and serving food. The ceremony honored those killed in action, missing and action, and families who recently lost their loved ones who were veterans. Overall the experience was one that should be magnified throughout Boston as many African American Veterans do not have the resources to sustain proper living, and the community is trying to raise this awareness. This experience was not only a learning experience for the O’Bryant NJROTC, but also an experience to learn to overcome challenges that are you are placed in
