Cadet Command will celebrate its silver anniversary June 3 at Fort Knox, Ky., with a large celebration, dedication and memoriam, thus completing the command's recent move from Fort Monroe, Va. All Army ROTC graduates and their Families are welcome to join in the celebration.
The day's events will include the opening and reception for the new Cadet Command headquarters and the dedication of Cadet Park on historic Brooks Field, directly across from the new headquarters.
June 3 also marks 95 years since the U.S. Congress established the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). As ROTC grew, the Army established Cadet Command on May 2, 1986.
Army ROTC is the largest officer-producing organization in the American military, having commissioned more than half a million second lieutenants since its inception. Currently, the Army maintains ROTC programs at 273 colleges and universities across the nation. Cadet Command also oversees Army Junior ROTC programs in high schools throughout our country.
Over the last 25 years, Cadet Command has achieved several milestones. Among them, this past November, U.S. Army Cadet Command uncased its colors at Fort Knox.
The new Cadet Park on Brooks Field will honor all ROTC graduates who died while serving our nation. "As we look forward to the command's future, symbolized by the ribbon-cutting of the new headquarters, we must also pause to honor the past," said Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command. "Our ceremony would not be complete without remembering those ROTC graduates who died while serving our nation.
"Therefore, we are hopeful that families and friends of ROTC graduates who died while serving our country will join us for the dedication on June 3rd," McDonald added. "Cadet Park honors all ROTC officers who died while serving since World War I to the present day."
Families and friends interested in attending the ceremonies will incur their own travel and lodging expenses.
Those interested in attending may visit the Cadet Command Web site at http://www.rotc.usaac.army.mil/25years.html or call our hotline at 502-624-3450 to RSVP or find out additional information. Point of contact is Lt. Col. Matt Hackathorn, public affairs officer for US Army Cadet Command at matthew.hackathorn@us.army.mil.
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