On Friday morning, the Brother Martin NJROTC honored Veterans with their annual ceremony at the flagpole in the backyard. On June 28, 2005, a rocket propelled grenade hit a CH-47 in Afghanistan, killing all those on board. The mission set out to save a SEAL team caught behind enemy lines and fighting for their lives. A second helicopter was able to pick up the only survivor of the attack, Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell. Detailed in the book and movie Lone Survivor, a 1986 Brother Martin graduate, Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan was killed in the rescue attempt.  

His family joined the Brother Martin NJROTC and the Crusader Band to pay honor to all Veterans and the sacrifice made by Chief Fontan.  After a prayer service in the Chapel, the Crusader Company called attention and the joint formation of the band and Cadets marched to the flagpole. Once in place, the band began the National Anthem as the Cadets saluted and the Color Guard raised the Colors. As the last note of the anthem played, the Color Guard proceeded out and a moment of silence fell across the crowd, the family brought a wreath to the plaque commemorating Chief Fontan’s service.  

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Commander Bruce Nolan '90, USN (Ret.) and Chief Petty Officer Terry Necaise, USN (Ret.) presented the family with a shadowbox of Chief Fontan’s medals and awards. As we continue to remember Chief Fontan every year on Veterans Day, which was also his birthday, we ask all of the Brother Martin community to remember all those that are currently serving around the world. They selflessly put themselves in harm’s way for the ideals of our country.

As Veterans, Commander Nolan and Chief Necaise would like to thank our Brother Martin family for your support and gratitude.  Without you, our program could not be what it is today.

Two groups of Cadets gave up part of their weekend to serve the community this Veterans Day weekend.

In Lakeview, the Drill Teams and Color Guard marched in the annual Lakeview Veterans Day parade.  The small, one mile parade, grows each year and Brother Martin was committed since the first parade four years ago.

In Audubon Park, a few Cadets braved the cold weather to assist the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with their annual OneWalk for a Cure.  Helping to set up and keep the park clean, they were recognized for our continued service and dedication to the unit.

As a citizenship development program, the NJROTC always looks for opportunities to give back and serve this community.