Community News
Cadet Leaders Excel in Community Service
By Col. Gary Breedlove
Mar 27, 2008, 17:28

Two Air Force JROTC Cadets were recognized for their excellent leadership in community service at Bainbridge High School.

 
Bainbridge High School Principal, Tommie Howell, with Cadets Lt Col Kristen Stone and Cadet 1st Lt Jessica Merritt and Col Breedlove.

Cadet Lt Col Kristen Stone and Cadet 1 LT Jessica Merritt received the “first ever” recognition with the “Community Service with Excellence Award”. 

The two were presented the newest JROTC ribbon and certificates by Mr. Tommie Howell and Colonel Breedlove at the JROTC classroom on Thursday.  Their selection for this new Headquarters AFJROTC award was based on their exceptional leadership during last fall’s Toys for Tots project.  At the time Cadet Stone was the Cadet Commander and Cadet Merritt was the Project Officer. 

The goal was to collect 1,200 toys for families in our community.  Due to the enthusiastic leadership by Stone and Merritt they exceeded the goal by more than 25 percent, collecting 1,500 toys and over 1,200 “stocking stuffers”. 

Colonel Breedlove, commenting on the new award said, “When I read the criteria for this prestigious award, the Toys for Tots project and Cadets Stone and Merritt immediately popped into my mind.  The criteria reads in part: ‘It is intended to recognize those individual cadets who provide significant leadership in the planning, organizing, directing, and executing of a major community service project that greatly benefits the local community.’  The benefit to our local community through the distribution of toys by the Salvation Army and the Bainbridge Housing Authority certainly was great, not only in my opinion but in the opinion of others.” 

In a recent letter from Salvation Army Director Melanie Harrell to the JROTC Cadets, she said, “Because of your continued support of the Toys for Tots” program we were able to give toys to over 430 children and provide Christmas food boxes to over 210 families.  We are proud to have the support of the Bainbridge High School Junior ROTC Program and look forward to working with you in the future.   Your time and effort are a blessing.” 

Mr. Howell said that “the Toys for Tots project is the epitome of an exceptional community service project.  I congratulate all the cadets and especially cadets Stone and Merritt for their success, and thank them for providing happy holidays for many families in our area.  The JROTC cadets are a positive example for all of us.” 

Cadet Stone, who was the Cadet Commander during the project, mentioned that, “Receiving the Community Service with Excellence Award is a great honor.  Although receiving this award made me feel good, it didn’t compare to the feeling I had when we knew we had helped many children have a better Christmas.  In 2006 I led the project and we collected over 1,200 toys and 1,100 stocking stuffers.  This was a great joy, and I am honored to be one of the first cadets to receive this award.” 

Cadet Jessica Merritt added, “Leading the Toys project was a very rewarding experience in itself.  Selection for this award is an honor and reminds me of everything that went into making this project a success, and how much it helped the community.” 

Colonel Breedlove concluded by saying, “The cadets are now working to finish the “Ton of Tabs” aluminum recycling project this spring.  The community has responded well, but we have a great need for a lot more aluminum cans and tabs.  We welcome the help from anyone and everyone.  Just bring donations to the high school or JROTC office.  The recycled aluminum proceeds will go toward a donation to the Ronald McDonald House in Tallahassee, Florida. In the past, their work has benefited people from our community.”