25 Years of Distinction...Only at Benedictine

2010 marks the 25th consecutive year that the Benedictine Corps of Cadets has attained the status of Honor Unit With Distinction, a designation given only to the top 20% of JROTC units in the nation. This impressive streak began in 1986, when LTC Owens '61 was given the reigns to a JROTC program that was on the verge of being cut from the school's budget.

To celebrate this achievemnet, the JROTC cadre decided to order streamers for each year the Corps of Cadets earned the Gold Star. Actually, to save money, three years were placed on each streamer. This past Monday, an informal ceremony was held to place the streamers on the unit colors. As each year was named, the Commander for that year was also named. As the best Brigade Commander during the last 25 years the only Brigade Commander that currently works at the school, I had the privilege of decorating the flag with the streamer representing the Classes of 2001, 2002 and 2003, and Commanders Butler/Roche and Schwarz.

I felt a tremendous amount of pride that day, not because of my personal achievement, but because of being a part of something special. Only at Benedictine!