Because of budget problems, Snohomish High School is thinking about dropping its Junior ROTC program.
Many years ago, Major Bob Adams was in charge of this program. Everett had a Marine League unit named “Hal Moe” Evergreen detachment. Through this unit we met Major Adams. Hal Moe was the principal of Snohomish High School and a former Marine. Our detachment became indirectly involved with the JROTC at the request of Major Adams.
There is a misconception of the JROTC. These young people are not being trained to become Marines. In fact, very few join the Marines. We remember having one of these JROTC members speak to the Everett Rotary. A question from a member of Rotary (a former Navy man) was: “I suppose you are going to join the Marines when you graduate?” The young man’s answer was great: “No sir, I am going to join the U.S. Navy.”
Major Adams and I used to discuss in detail the behavior on and off campus of these people. Without going into a lot of numbers, etc., compared to other students, these JROTC members got into very little trouble. One time we arranged for retired Col. Archie Van Winkle to inspect this group. Col. Van Winkle received the Medal of Honor in Korea. As we watched this ceremony, a bunch of old Marines had a few tears in their eyes. It was just great.
We are pleased that Doug Roulstone, Captain U.S. Navy retired, has stepped forward to lead this fund-raiser. Please help! Please send your checks to: JROTC Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 871, Snohomish, WA 98291.
Jim Perin
Retired Everett Police Chief and former Marine
Stanwood
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