Cadets complete more than 500 service hours in the community
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
After stripping away layers of paint, cadets of PA-771 AFJROTC primed and painted the ocean of the globe at Veteran’s Plaza in Coatesville’s Gateway Park.
COATESVILLE – If you’ve noticed the new paint job on the globe in Veteran’s Plaza at Gateway Park in the center of town, that is the work of PA-771 AFJROTC of the Coatesville Area Senior High School.
It took about two-years to get approval to begin the rehabilitation process that included stripping away several layers of paint from previous years and a few coats of primer before the painting process could begin. Once painting began, a decision to outline each continent in black was made to help them stand out.
The entire project took the cadets about two weeks to complete and a combined 190 volunteer hours.
Buddy Rhodes of the Military Order of the Purple Heart stopped by to visit as the project neared completion and stated: “These cadets did a better job than the professionals we hired to repaint it years ago.”
In addition to their service hours spent working on the globe, the cadets also dedicated a large portion of their summer, 33 events in 53 days to be exact, to accumulate over 500 service hours at various locations throughout the community.
The rehabilitative project of the globe took about two weeks and 190 combined service hours for cadets to complete.
The cadets worked at Judah Ministries in Coatesville, where they cleaned out, weeded and repaired a raised garden bed and transplanted tomato and pepper plants. They also worked at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge, dedicating several hours over three visits on general repairs and maintenance.
They also worked dedicated their time at Pete’s Produce Farm, where they worked through over five miles trellising new pepper plants, weeding tomatillo plants, planting over 200 basil plants and most recently harvested over 1,400 pounds of peppers for the Chester County Food Bank.
In the weeks following, cadets volunteered at the warehouse of the Chester County Food Bank, where they worked to prepare and package collard greens and kale for distribution to the local food bank kitchens throughout Chester County.
In addition, cadets ran a 5K race, scheduled and held fundraisers at Texas Roadhouse, performed color guard details at school board meetings, attended the PA Hero Walk event at Locust Lane Riding Center, visited multiple senior centers around the area and spoke with veterans.
During Basic Cadet Orientation week, cadets worked at Pete’s Produce in West Chester and harvested over 1,400 pounds of peppers for the Chester County Food Bank. Photo courtesy of AFJROTC
The Cadets also took several trips throughout the summer, including a visit to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, as guests of State Representative Harry Lewis, Jr. (R-74). There, they had the experience of being introduced on the floor of the PA House of Representatives.
In addition, cadets visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they witnessed the “Changing of the Guard” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saw the eternal flame at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite. While there, the cadets also honored Medal of Honor recipient Michael Crescenz at his gravesite.
Finally, in preparation of the new school year current cadets worked diligently to prepare to welcome the 48 new cadets joining the AFJROTC by conducting inventory of Air Force equipment, and planning and implementing a “Basic Cadet Orientation” course that ran the week before school, to familiarize new cadets with ROTC.
Of note: PA-771 AFJROTC would like to extend their appreciation to Mike Periera-Ogan, owner of MPO General Carpentry & Construction in Glenmoore, PA who built and donated an additional raised bed garden box that, increased the garden size at Judah Ministry by over 150%
They also wish to thank Rep. Lewis, Stuart Deets, Dr. Cathy Taschner, Buddy Rhodes, and the entire staff at the Sherwin Williams store in Thorndale, for the opportunity, the tools and the motivation to complete the globe project.
