Easley High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) completed their annual trip to our nation’s capital on November 20th, 2010 after 3 days of hands-on learning. Following an eleven hour bus ride, the cadet’s first stop on this educational field trip was the United States Marine Corps Museum in Quantico Virginia. Upon arrival in Annapolis, Maryland, the cadets checked on to yard patrol craft (YP-676 & YP-677) which would be their sleeping arrangements for the next 3 nights. Each craft can accommodate; in tight quarters, 30 people and are very cost effective.

Thursday started with a tour of the Capitol building followed by pictures and questions with South Carolina’s senior Senator, Lindsey O. Graham. A stop in the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History to see the Star Spangled Banner that was flown at Fort McHenry on September 13th & 14th, of 1814 when the British tried to invade Baltimore, Maryland was next on the agenda. Visits to the Holocaust Museum, World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial all came next and the final stops of the Washington DC portion of the field trip.

Stopping the British invasion of Baltimore, Maryland played a vital role in maintaining the free country of The United States America. Visiting Fort McHenry is a priority stop on this trip and brings to life the Naval Science 2 curriculum of Maritime History taught in the NJROTC program. The visitor’s center at Fort McHenry displays a film depicting Dr. Beanes and the events that led up to the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Easley’s NJROTC cadets help the Park Rangers change out the after hours; 50 star 13 stripe flag, to the daily 15 star 15 stripe flag, a replica of the of the flag flown in 1814

Easley’s’ NJROTC Color Guard assisted with the opening ceremonies at the United States Naval Academy ice hockey game against Drexel Friday night, they received many compliments from both staff and fans. Most cadets have never seen an ice hockey and were so excited that they were the leading cheerleaders of the game, they had the bleachers rocking! Navy lost in overtime 3 to 4.

This trip would not be possible without the chaperones Melissa Little, Natasha Page, & Laura Welsh. Support from YP Operations & the Blue Jacket Café also make this trip happen, Bravo Zulu to you. The folks at the Fort McHenry National Monument also helped this trip be a success with the in-depth description of the battle and the hands on flag handling. Thank you all.

The cadets that have accumulated enough support points and choose to participate in this field trip were cadets Richard Baehser, David Berryhill, Christopher Bishop, Jeffery Budesheim, Jacob Churray, Tyler Cummings, Hunter Dodd, Destinee Gilbert, Nathaniel Godfrey, Denton Griffin, Saudra Haire, Conner Hillegas, Andrew Jonakin, Ericka Jordan, Catlyn Lavigne, Ashley Little, Lauren Machen, Breana Manley, Austin Martin, Micharl Mayfield, Joshua McFadden, Dylan Norris, Jonathan Presley, Guner Raby, Shania Ramey, Rodney Rampey, Brittney Scurry, Steven Smith, Emily Thompson, Erica Thompson, Whitney Tripp, Thomas Trotter, Brett Vileikis, Brittney Vileikis, Candace Ward, Leland Welsh, Kaitlyn Williams, Jack R. Young.