By Ltc. Nathaniel Flegler Jr.
Griffin High School Army JROTC
GRIFFIN, G.A. August 19, 2024 – One of our senior cadets was honored and recognized for his exceptional leadership, community service and academic achievements by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Georgia State Council on August 14th. Cadet Landon Rogers received a medal and a $1000.00 scholarship for being selected the VVA Georgia State Council’s Top Cadet in the State. “I am very proud of Landon. His selection as the VVA Top Cadet in the State is a very high honor. Cadet Rogers exemplify the best attributes of character, scholarship, physical aptitude, leadership, and motivation,” said Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Nathaniel Flegler Jr., the Senior Army Instructor in charge of the JROTC program at Griffin High School.
Landon Rogers, is the Cadet Battalion Commander of the JROTC program at Griffin High School this year. He has made an immediate impact on the Bear Battalion. Thus far, he has led the cadet corps that consist of nearly 300 cadets in an outstanding manner. “It is such an honor to receive the medal and scholarship from the VVA as their Top Cadet selection. My selection has added tremendously to my confidence,” Rogers said.
The VVA scholarship is awarded to cadets that exemplifies the core values of the VVA. Those values are advocacy, meaningful achievement, integrity and compassion. Also, the selected cadet must be in the upper 25 percent of his class academically and in the top 25 percent of his unit in JROTC achievements. Finally, the cadet was required to submit an essay of not less than 500 words. The essay theme for this year was “What my training and participation in JROTC has meant to me.” President Martin Ursitti and Vice President Mike Kuhr, from the VVA Chapter 946, visited the Griffin High School JROTC Department to present the scholarship and medal to Cadet Rogers. “It is always a pleasure for me to present this coveted award to a deserving JROTC cadet. Our chapter and State Council are very proud of Cadet Rogers’ hard work and dedication to his school, community and country,” said Kuhr.
The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a program offered to high schools that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity. For further information, contact Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Nathaniel Flegler Jr. at 770-229-3752 ext. 27150 or email nathaniel.flegler@gscs.org.