Four Air Force JROTC Cadets Lauded By West Mifflin VFW Post

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 May 2016 17:12

West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid recognized four Air Force JROTC cadets for outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership during the 12th annual Military Ball Banquet at the Westwood Golf Club April 29.

Pictured are VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Bradich, Chaplain Gene Staudt, Quartermaster Gary Ruston, MSgt Savannah Nazarek and Cadet CMSgt Nathaniel Schmude. (Photo credit: Michael P. Mauer.)

Earning top honors for this year’s competition are Cadet SMSgt Shane Craig, Cadet TSgt Jeneadene Greene, Cadet MSgt Savannah Nazarek and Cadet CMSgt Nathaniel Schmude. All are students at West Mifflin Area High School. The four cadets were each presented a medal and a certificate by VFW Post 914.

“We are proud as veterans and as members of our community to recognize each of these young people today,” said VFW Post 914 Quartermaster Gary Ruston. “Their exceptionalism that we are noting today will hopefully be reflected as solid leadership tomorrow.”

West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid has supported the West Mifflin Area High School Air Force JROTC program since its inception. According to Ruston, the program, as the military, works to instill solid core values such as teamwork, patriotism, discipline and service before self.

“These concepts not only make good soldiers, but also good citizens,” the quartermaster said.

Ruston added that the VFW Post here is proud to count as some of its current membership combat-decorated soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been through the Air Force JROTC at West Mifflin and later won battle honors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Other Air Force JROTC participants have gone on to distinguish themselves in academics at the university level, while still more are working to become commissioned officers in the military.

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

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars West Mifflin Post 914 Intrepid were on hand April 29 at the Westwood Golf Cub to present awards to outstanding cadets from the West Mifflin Area Senior High School Air Force JROTC program.