Cadets receive awards at Marmion Military Night

Marmion Academy’s JROTC program held its annual Military Night on Jan. 29.

The evening included an awards ceremony, performances by the Flannigan Rifles Drill Team and remarks by Jerry Lawler of Palos Heights, Marmion class of 1956.

Lawler, a retired captain of TWA airline spoke to the Cadet Corps and guests.

“Always do what you know is right,” said Lawler. “That is the key to success.”

Lawler’s career with TWA spanned 35 years. He was one of fourteen volunteer pilots to fly U.S. troops into Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War in 1991. He received the TWA Flight Deck Crew Member of the Year award in 1997 and the FAA Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” award for 50 consecutive years of safe aircraft flight operations.

Following his remarks, Lawler was awarded the Marmion Alumni Centurion Award for his outstanding achievements in the field of aviation and for his great volunteer work with the Armed Forces.

The following cadets were also recognized with individual awards: Peter Gonzalez of Montgomery, DAR ROTC Medal; Thomas Pacer of Batavia, DAC ROTC Medal; Mitchell Heaton of Batavia, SAR ROTC Medal; Michael Clark of Oswego, SAR Citizenship Medal; Brian Wulff of Batavia, Military Officers Association of America ROTC Medal; Zachary McNally of Batavia, Michael Maley of South Elgin and Joseph Zidek of Aurora, COL Joe Day Memorial Award; Michael Shares of St. Charles, Nicholas Ondrla of Aurora and Jeremy See of Naperville, COL Joe Day Remembrance Award.

Other award winners included: Casey Smith of Batavia, Bugles Across America Hall of Fame Medal; Alexander Lopez of Lisle and Brett Koskinen of North Aurora, Bugles Across America Award; Brenden Fitzpatrick of Batavia and Colin Sheehan of Geneva, Best Plebe; Jeffrey Garofalo of Aurora, Senior Rev. Martin Witting Award; John Sieben of Aurora, Junior Rev. Martin Witting Award; Michael Sheehan of St. Charles, Sophomore Rev. Martin Witting Award; and Thomas Sieben of Aurora, Freshman Rev. Martin Witting Award.

The students at Marmion can choose to participate in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, a U.S. Army high school program. In the program, cadets learn to become better citizens through classes which focus on such topics as history, leadership, and oral communication. They take part in military drill, inspections, and parades. As they advance through the ranks, they assume increasing responsibility for leadership among other cadets in their company. The JROTC program supports competitive Rifle and Drill teams and can participate in an Adventure Platoon and a one week JROTC Summer Camp.

For information about Marmion Academy’s JROTC program visit www.marmion.org.