by Cadet 1st Lt. Gilbert Ramos and 2nd Lt. Madison Rice
AFJROTC AZ-942, Mohave High School
6/4/2012 - BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. -- Imagine preparing for a Memorial Day ceremony when you discover that your great-great grandfather's name is upon the memorial wall.
This was the case for Cadet Senior Airman Alexis Anderson on May 28th, when Mohave High School's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps took up the responsibility of guarding the Arizona Memorial and The Eternal Flame.
Cadet Alexis Anderson discovered that her family member's name was enshrined on the Memorial.
She stated she was, "feeling a great deal of honor to be there..." The cadets of the AZ-942 Drill Team honored the memories of those who were lost by performing a tomb march from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm.
This march resembled the prestigious ceremony done by the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Each cadet had a chance to guard the Arizona Memorial and the Eternal Flame that day. After the march, the cadets took their own time to study the names on the wall and remember all who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
In addition to the replication of the Old Guard's March at the Arizona Memorial, the cadets of AZ-942 also presented the colors at Desert Lawn Cemetery. The color guard was accompanied by the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard.
While the cadets presented the colors, a Mohave High School band member performed "Taps" on the trumpet and the Veterans Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute for all of their fallen brothers.
