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Usually when a Friday falls 13 days into a new month, it is considered unlucky. But this wasn’t the case asfour Air Force JROTC cadets were honored for outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership by All-American West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid during the 14th annual Military Ball Banquet at the Westwood Golf Club April 13.

JROTC members honored

Receiving recognition from the local veterans group this year are Cadet Senior Airman Austin Gougler, Cadet Senior Airman Logan McClure, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Marie Mannella, and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Alaysia Poindexter. The four cadets were each awarded a medal and a certificate by VFW Post 914. They were carefully chosen by senior leadership staff from more than 100 other members in the West Mifflin corps of cadets to earn this honor. All are students at West Mifflin Area High School.

According VFW Post 914 Quartermaster Gary Ruston, the assembled group of combat veterans that reviewed the ceremony and banquet were exceptionally pleased with the awardees.

“We have members in our Post of all ages who’ve served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as through conflicts in the Middle East and the recent war on terror,” said Ruston, a Navy Gulf War veteran. “Because of our experiences and despite the gap in generations, we all have a healthy respect for good organization and discipline. These cadets have that, and they make us proud.”

Post Commander Jake Bradich, who served in the Army in the Iraq War, added that the cooperation between the JROTC program and the West Mifflin veteransgroup has been beneficial to both for more than a dozen years.

“We’ve been working with the cadets every year since 2005,” said Bradich. “This includes the post marching with the corps of cadets in Pittsburgh’s Veterans Day Parade.”
The commander added that the West Mifflin Air Force JROTC students have also participated with VFW Post 914 during Memorial Day services, and regularly volunteer with the post membership to assist local hospitalized veterans. Additionally, the two groups were also part of a community 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the borough’s Mitchell Paige Memorial Park Sept. 11 this past year.

Also last April, VFW Post 914 received a $500 donation from Air Force JROTC to assist local veterans. The funds were raised from a Bataan March organized by the cadets that was held at the Waterfront Bike Trail in Homestead.

“These cadets and the whole Air Force JROTC program have done nothing but positive things for West Mifflin,” said Bradich. “We’re thankful to be honoring four of these outstanding students, and are looking forward to working with them in the future for many years to come.”

For more information about VFW Post 914 and its activities, contact Commander Bradich at: 412-464-9838.

Above Photo:   Members of All-American Veterans of Foreign Wars West Mifflin Post 914 Intrepid were on hand April 13 at the Westwood Golf Cub to present awards to outstanding cadets from the West Mifflin Area Senior High School Air Force JROTC program. Pictured are VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Bradich, Post Chaplain Gene Staudt, Cadet Senior Airman Austin Gougler, Cadet Senior AirmanLogan McClure, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Marie Mannella, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Alaysia Poindexter, Post Surgeon Bernie Zurawski, and VFW District 29 Commander, Bill Roland. (Photo credit: Gary Ruston)

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