The fly-over by the Commemorative Air Force out of San Marcos was canceled due to fog, but spirits were high. Temple High School teachers who had served in the armed forces arrived in their dress uniforms and many veterans in the community turned out for the display.
Lt. Colonel Steve Joy was the reviewing official this year. He was a forward air controller in Southeast Asia during Vietnam and flew 198 combat missions. He also was an instructor at bases around the country before retiring in 1990 as commander of the 3480th student group.
He now lives in Temple and owns and operates two Chick-fil-A restaurants. He said he was impressed by the caliber of the marching and the discipline of Temple’s JROTC.
“They did an excellent job,” he said. “They looked like they were just so proud to wear the uniform.”
Joy was a member of the ROTC in college and said the most important things he learned were teamwork and discipline which he carried with him as he entered military service.
He said it felt good to see the JROTC march in honor of the veterans and appreciated the show of support on Veterans Day.
“There are so many people giving for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq and it’s periodically nice to say thanks,” he said.
Service in the armed forces is a big part of Temple High School. Twenty-nine teachers and staff members at Temple High School are veterans and there have been as many 350 JROTC cadets in one year.
But JROTC isn’t just about learning military maneuvers. JROTC graduates are qualified to enter the Air Force immediately upon graduation with the rank of airman first class without enduring boot camp.
Retired Col. Sid Thurston, commander of the JROTC, said Temple High School JROTC offers history of aviation, the science of flight, exploration of space and flight planning, where students learn to plot a course and determine time of arrival and fuel required. Courses also are available about life after high school and leadership training. Temple High School also has $36,000 in scholarships available to JROTC graduates.
kchandler@temple-telegram.com
