Legion presents JROTC awards

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo La Plata High School Principal Evelyn Arnold, left, joins Robert Morgan of American Legion Post 82 as he makes a presentation to cadet Lt. Travis Gragan. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

La Plata High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps held its annual Blue and Gold awards ceremony on May 8, but the event was marred by a medical emergency.

As Robert E. Lee Morgan III, former post commander of La Plata American Legion Post 82, was approaching the lectern to present two awards, he had a heart attack.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Clive Bailey, retired firefighter Tony Exline, paramedic Bridget Higgs and cadet Courtney Thompson responded immediately, performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and using the school's defibrillator to aid Morgan, who was stabilized and transported to Civista Medical Center and then flown to Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.

On May 26, Morgan returned to La Plata High School to present the two awards. Receiving the American Legion JROTC General Military Excellence Award was cadet Lt. Travis Gragan.

Receiving the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award was cadet Lt. Cmdr. Jake Medina.

For the first time in its 16-year history, La Plata NJROTC was recognized as one of Maryland and Virginia's premier NJROTC units, earning the Distinguished Unit Award with academic honors.

Senior naval science instructor retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Fry and Bailey attribute this to an increase in participation and teamwork by the cadets, ably led by cadet Lt. Cmdr. Teagan Bailey, according to a press release. The American Legion Medal for General Military Excellence is presented annually to one high school junior or senior in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

To be eligible, the cadet must be in the top 25 percent of his class and demonstrate high levels of leadership, discipline, character and citizenship.

This year's recipient, Travis Gragan, is a senior at La Plata High School and served as the NJROTC unit's executive officer. Travis is a member of an award-winning color guard, a graduate of the Navy's Leadership Academy, and plays varsity lacrosse. Upon graduation, Travis hopes to enlist in the Navy and become a Navy SEAL. The American Legion JROTC Scholastic Medal is presented annually to one high school junior or senior in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

To be eligible, the cadet must be in the top 10 percent of his class, demonstrate a high level of leadership and be active in extra-curricular activities or athletics. This year's recipient, Jake Medina, is a junior at La Plata High School and served as the NJROTC unit's Executive Officer. Cadet Medina is also is a member of La Plata's color guard, a graduate of the Navy's Leadership Academy and plays varsity soccer. Jake hopes to secure a nomination to one of the serviceacademies when he graduates. Cadet Courtney Thompson was presented with NJROTC's highest award, the Meritorious Achievement Award, for her role in assisting Morgan when he was stricken. Morgan has been presenting the American Legion awards at La Plata's annual ceremony for the past 10 years.