Masonic support of JROTC programs is an effective way to benefit our nation's young people and raise the local profile of the Scottish Rite.

The Moment: How refreshing it was to walk into a classroom and see 20 bright faces talking about how they are going to run their Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program next year. It made my day. As a matter of fact, it made my summer. Let me tell you why.

The Setting: The date was July 31st, four weeks prior to the start of school, but they were already at school, eager to make their JROTC unit better. Most of them had just returned from a Summer Leadership School, so they had plenty of new ideas. And they were loaded with the excitement that comes from that type of immersion training. The classroom in which they were sitting was their JROTC room at Highland Park High School (HPHS) in Topeka, Kansas. This room is full of patriotic emblems, such as flags, paintings, plaques, models, and all the artifacts that are used to make people feel good about their country and feel good about belonging to a JROTC program.

The School: HPHS is one of seven high schools in the greater Topeka area and has about 1,000 students, grades 9 through 12. Approximately 250 students are in the AFJROTC program each year. The AFJROTC unit is called KS-881, which denotes that it is a Kansas (the KS) unit that started in 1988 (the 88) and was the first new unit started in 1988 (the 1).

The Program: There are 744 AFJROTC units like KS-881 located all over the United States and at various locations overseas. During the next six years, the number of units will grow to 945. The Army, Navy, and Marines also have JROTC units in high schools all over the country, so there is a great chance that there is one near you.

The Mission: The Air Force JROTC units have a clear-cut mission: "Build better citizens for America." The curriculum is two-fold: Academic and Leadership Training. Academic Training includes: History, particularly the role of the military in our nation's history and the specific role of aviation; Science, including Meteorology, Physiology, Aeronautics, Navigation, and Space. Leadership Training includes: Citizenship; Personal Behavior and Responsibility; Self-Control; Leadership Concepts; Management Techniques; and Drill and Ceremonies. It is a rich curriculum giving the instructors multiple areas to teach young people about themselves, their country, and their role.

Ill. Jack A. Quinlan, 33°, Personal Representative, Topeka, Kansas, congratulates Cadet Major Crystal Wilson at Highland Park High School, Topeka, on her receiving the Supreme Council's JROTC Americanism and Education Award. The award consists of a medal, ribbon, and certificate, which are presented in recognition of superior academic, patriotic, and community service. These honors, usually conferred by a Brother at a school or other public ceremony, are a great way to enhance the profile of the Scottish Rite as a patriotic organization dedicated to support of young people, their communities, and America. See your Valley Secretary for information on the Supreme Council's Americanism and Education Award Program.

The Instructors: JROTC instructors are retired military men and women. Our unit has three instructors. One had experience in training active duty people how to be leaders. Another had experience in space command and control. The third had experience in the flying community. All three wear their Air Force uniform proudly and stand up in front of the cadets every day to provide instruction and a positive role model.

The Cadets: The cadets are from every conceivable background. All major ethnic groups are well represented. Family backgrounds vary greatly, ranging from birth parents to step parents to single parents to guardians of all types. For many, their AFJROTC unit is their family. We advertise it just that way: "Come Join the AFJROTC Family!" Some cadets are the stars of the school in athletics, drama, academics, and music. Some are not. For many cadets, JROTC is their only activity beyond the normal classroom, their only club, their only place to shine. For many, JROTC saves them from a very dismal high-school experience.

Our Role: As Masons, we have a role to play, should we choose to accept it. We can become fully engaged in these programs by finding a school in our town or within driving distance, making contact with the instructors, seeing what they need, and supporting their program. Our Kansas Masonic Bodies help with travel funds for educational experiences, trophy funds for local and area-wide drill competitions, manpower for award presentations, and points of contact for numerous community service projects. Without the Masons and their contributions, our AFJROTC program would be a shadow of itself, struggling to put its good ideas into action.

Back to the Moment: Yes, how great and wonderful it was to see young people sitting in a patriotic classroom on a bright July day getting excited about their school, their JROTC program, their country, and their own personal development. They did not have to be, but they wanted to be. It was a proud moment for me to see the whole plan coming together-their boundless energy, a positive direction, and great Masonic support. What a package, thanks in a large part to the Masonic Bodies of Topeka and Kansas.

NOTE: In support of this program, the Topeka Valley gives a scholarship to each of the four high schools in Topeka that have a JROTC program, to be used for furthering a cadet's continuing education.

David K. Burke is an active member of the Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies, National Sojourners, and Heroes of '76. After over 27 years of service in Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and Kansas, Bro. Burke retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1994, but he wears his uniform every day as the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for AFJROTC unit KS-881 in Topeka.

Patty Pressman, Principal of Topeka High School, notes that a Marine Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (MJROTC) was implemented at her school in the fall of 1995. From 1995 to 2000, the program grew from 30 to over 200 Cadets. Currently, it is the only Marine ROTC program in the state of Kansas. An elective class, it teaches young men and women skills that will help them successfully meet the challenges of adulthood. These skills include self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership. The program components are physical conditioning, drill, ceremony color guard, drill team, and silent drill team. The students provide a great service to the school and to the Topeka community. The MJROTC color guard, for instance, provides the official opening for football, soccer, and basketball games. In April 2002, 49 MJROTC Cadets participated in the National High School Drill Championship where they placed second overall in a competition attended by 208 schools and 3,770 Cadets from 30 states and countries. Additionally, the cadets participate in numerous community affairs and events including the Shrine Circus, Veteran's Day ceremonies, and Toys for Tots drives. They assist the school administration and Booster Club by their volunteerism and serve as our official school greeters and guides. One cannot overstate the positive impact they have made and continue to make on the school and community.