Revived Cairo ROTC program recognizes cadets - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Revived Cairo ROTC program recognizes cadets

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By Dave Miller - email
By Stephen Abel - bio | email
Cairo's NJROTC program was shut down earlier this year Cairo's NJROTC program was shut down earlier this year
Representative Sanford Bishop and Rear Admiral David Steindl spoke to the cadets Representative Sanford Bishop and Rear Admiral David Steindl spoke to the cadets

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A revived Navy Junior ROTC program welcomed two special guests to their pass and review ceremony Wednesday morning.

Congressman Sanford Bishop and Navy Rear Admiral David Steindl reviewed Cairo High School cadets.

The Cairo program was shut down earlier this year because of budget cuts, but Congressman Bishop fought for reinstatement.

Six months ago, Cairo High School's NJROTC program was all but finished.

"It's very emotional. It's hard for me to keep my eyes dry when I see the gratitude on the faces of the people in the community and on the faces of these cadets," said Bishop.

Earlier this year the United States Navy had to make the tough choice to decommission 29 NJROTC programs, including the one at Cairo High School.

But Commander Alex Baker and his cadets were not going down without a fight.

"So they pushed me and they encouraged me and got me fired up, so then I couldn't give up either," said Bishop.

And after months of persuasion in Washington, the Cairo program was reinstated.

"It teaches citizenship, personal responsibility, responsibility for others and it's just a big importance to help every cadet and student to be role models," said Cadet Takayen Jynes.

Jynes says she is extremely grateful the program was saved.

But she says she still cannot believe both Bishop and Rear Admiral Steindl showed up for today's ceremony. "It's crazy. It's amazing. I look in awe at them. They are my role models."

"I like to get out and visit the students and see how they're doing. This particular group here in Cairo, the unit, is really on an upswing and I'm very impressed with their level of performance and the growth of the program," said Steindl.

Bishop says losing this program would have been devastating not only for the school, but also the community.

"They are indeed the best, the brightest, the most creative, and disciplined anywhere in the world. And I'm proud to represent the Cairo High School and the Cairo High School Naval Junior ROTC."

The Cairo program was the only one the Navy chose to reinstate.

Cairo High School now has a school record of 134 cadets in the program.

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