“As we gather together as a community, it is a privilege to honor these young men.”
So began Violet Lawless, event Co-chair of the 2026 Shield of Honor Pledge Ceremony held May 8 at “The Way” Community Center in Waynesburg. This event was held to honor the commitments of five Greene County students as they declared their enlistment status in the United States Military.
Honored Enlistees included, Landon Heath, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and Cole Knight, enlisted in the U.S. Army, both of which are from Jefferson-Morgan, as well as Tyler Scott of Mapletown and Charles Stoneking of West Greene, both of whom have enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and Chase Morris of West Greene who is enlisted in the U.S. National Guard.
Among the supporters of these five enlistees were their fellow JROTC program cadets. The Greene County JROTC program is special because it is the first of its kind in the nation to be based out of a Career and Technology Center. This remarkable first places Greene County on a national stage as we provide exposure to and training in vital skills for future military enlistees in the region.
The commitment of these five young men, and the other, younger JROTC cadets, to serve their country is even more important now than ever, according to some recent statistics.
After hearing from retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and former Greene County Commissioner Mike Belding, listeners learned that only 23% of American youth are even eligible to serve in any branch of the military. About 7% of our country’s population is made up of veterans, and– perhaps even more shockingly– only 1% actively serve. “Your choice to join the United States Military,” he states, “makes you part of a special group.”
Among those students, all are considering and actively working towards their own enlistment in one of the branches of the U.S. Military. Many of them shared their own JROTC story prior to the event.
Austin Phillips, a Carmichaels Area High School junior shares that he joined the program this year after seeking some heavenly guidance: “I prayed, Lord, where is my future?” His next steps ended up being taken in a polished pair of JROTC uniform shoes.
Brandon Remington, another supportive cadet from Jefferson-Morgan High School explained that the JROTC program has made him– and his fellow cadets– better people. Cole Knight, one of JM’s honored enlistees, continued that the program “aligned with his goals.”
“In theory,” Col. Belding elaborates, “We join military organizations to protect our freedoms, we pledge allegiance to the flag, and swear to support and defend the constitution of the United States of America.” But it is in the moments of chaos and disaster, that Belding says every service member begins instead fighting for “the soldier, Marine, sailor, airman, Coastguardsman, or Space Force Guardian,” to their left or right.
Our community pays homage to these future servicemen from our county schools, saluting them for “their entrance into a 250-year tradition of defense against all enemies foreign and domestic.” Our hats are off to you.
