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Sophomore Crystal Silva recalls preparing to walk out in front of the crowd. Her heart started beating faster and butterflies were going kamikaze in her stomach. She knew that her team was well prepared, and as Silva made a final check of her uniform and straightened her shoulders, the JROTC color guard marched out and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I am really excited before we march,” said Silva. “We practice hard three times a week, so I feel very confident in my team.”
The color guard is made up of four students who work together to learn marching maneuvers and rifle movements. The aim of the group is to raise public patriotism and bring out a sense of community.
“The color guard performs the opening ceremonies to show respect and honor for America,” said Colonel Mike Hittle. “We feel the students should do it because they are a part of the community.”
The cadets are encouraged to participate in color guard and other JROTC activities because by being involved with their communities the cadets learn to become better citizens.
“Part of JROTC is citizenship,” said First Sergeant Mike Jurczak. “We feel the kids should give back to the community.”
For the past three years, the Flathead High School color guard has been invited to a University of Montana Grizzly home game. Getting to perform the opening ceremonies in front of the college crowd is one of the color guard’s favorite perks.
“We get to perform in front of a whole bunch of people,” said sophomore Jason Williams. “Plus, it’s for college, it’s fun.”
In 1996, the color guard received it’s first invitation to U.M. when the Grizzlies made it into the playoffs. The U.M. cadets were home for Thanksgiving. The U.M. advisors who invited the Flathead team were so impressed with the color guard, they keep inviting the team back.
“In my idea they out performed our color guard,” said Master Sergeant Dumler from the University of Montana. “Their rifle movements are a lot fancier than ours.”
The JROTC program has given Flathead students a chance to become more involved in their community and most of all, it has built lasting camaraderie.
“It gives us a sense of helping people,” said senior Shawn Stotts. “And I do it because there are a lot of my friends in it, so we get together and have a lot of fun.”
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