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Local NSDAR chapter awards its Outstanding Cadet Medal

On May 14, the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, (NSDAR) awarded and presented a DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal. This is the chapter's first presentation of this award.

Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter Regent Michelle Wilson and National Defense Chairwoman Maureen Rogers awarded and presented the DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal, campaign bar and a certificate signed by NSDAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren.

The women were invited to attend the graduation ceremony at Navy Talent Acquisition Group, Great Lakes.

DAR Outstanding Cadet Medals are awarded to student cadets who distinguish themselves through outstanding leadership, honor, courage, service and patriotism in non-ROTC, military-affiliated cadet programs funded by schools or privately, including, but not limited to, Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Civil Air Patrol Cadet Corps.

The Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter awarded the medal to U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Elise Burkut from the Nine One One division at Great Lakes. PO3 Burkut is a 14-year-old cadet from Jack London Middle School in Wheeling.

The cadet was nominated by Brian Poa, an instructor at the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Nine One One division at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes.

Written by the nominating instructor Poa: "PO3 Cadet Burkut has excelled among her peers with self-investment of leadership and personal growth. She took on her first leadership role as Color Guard commander, leading her peers in drill and ceremonies.

"She applied to attend Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA) in California. At age 14, she took her first flight alone to California, where she attended POLA. Upon returning from POLA, she took on the role of leading the unit's 41 cadets in military drill.

"She holds herself as a person of strong character. She has the potential to become a great leader in and outside of Sea Cadets. She consistently encourages her peers to give their best in uniform and to be themselves expressively outside of uniform, holding true to the corps values."

The Nine One One division unit was founded in 1959 at the Great Lakes Naval Station. They offer a leadership development program for kids ages 10 and older.

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps is a youth volunteer leadership program that builds strong character and is supported by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Sea Cadets are also supported by donations from The Navy League and others. In 2021, 75 Sea Cadets went to summer seminars at the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

This past year, the local group presented their Color Guard at a Chicago Cubs game. They also spent a night sleeping on a submarine.

The Ansel Brainerd Chapter, NSDAR, is celebrating its 45th year. The chapter was organized in September 1977 in Libertyville by 17 members. The chapter has now grown to include more than 175 members. In 2021, the Ansel Brainerd Chapter members logged in 7,705 volunteer hours in the communities in which they work and live.

For information about the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, NSDAR, visit ildar.org/chapters/anselbrainerdcook or email ABC4DAR@gmail.com.

For information about Sea Cadets Nine One One division, visit www.seacadets911.org.

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