Cranston East Senior

It is tradition for military units to hold a formal ceremony to recognize their achievements. The Cranston High School East JROTC battalion is no different.

On March 10 Cranston High School East JROTC held its 29th annual Military Dining Out at the Cranston Country Club. The event consisted of various ceremonies that involved numerous cadets from grades nine through twelve. The theme of this year’s dining out was Military Services appreciation.

The evening began with the Master of Ceremonies, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Villeda, welcoming cadets, their distinguished guests, and Cranston East faculty and administration. After the welcoming speech, the color guard, commanded by Cadet Sergeant First Class Geryl Vargas, posted the colors. Cadet Samuel Villeda then called Cadet Corporal Sofia Calderon to the podium for the invocation.

Next, Cadet Captain Joseph Bellotti came to the podium to talk about the ‘Missing Man’ table that was centered in the middle of the room. The ‘Missing Man’ table represented the brave men and women who could not return to their families, because they gave the ultimate sacrifice while honorably serving our country. When Cadet Joseph Bellotti completed his speech, Cadet Corporal Destiny Thorpe recited the Cadet Creed along with her fellow cadets whom attended that evening.

As the evening continued, the Punch Bowl ceremony was conducted. A tradition that celebrated and honored the five military services, teamwork, diversity, school athletics and musical arts. The ceremony represents the success of the last 29 years of the Cranston High School East JROTC Thunderbolt Battalion. The punch bowl ceremony was lead by Cadet First Sergeant Gisella Prado-Rodriguez. Cadet Gisella Prado-Rodriguez and her fellow cadets succeeded with their part, moving the night onto dinner, and then eventually the cake cutting ceremony.

The cake cutting ceremony was led and orchestrated by Cadet Sergeant Major Alexandra Jones. The cake cutting ceremony honors members of the community that aided with Cranston High School East JROTC, and/or the Cranston community, by distributing the first four slices of cake.

This year’s pieces of cake were presented to Zachary Farrell, the director of the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center, Mr. and Mrs. Lenk, parents of Cadet Captain Kailey Lenk and Cadet Private First Class Joseph Lenk, who assisted the Thunderbolt Battalion Drill Team at multiple competitions. Also, Retired Sergeant Anthony Berardis, who served for 20 years in the U.S Army and U.S Air Force, received a piece of cake.

Throughout the night, speeches were given by the battalion commander Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Sparks, and the battalion’s Senior Army Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel (R) John Murray. These speeches illustrated the past and future successes of the Thunderbolt Battalion. During LTC Murray’s speech he recognized those who supported the Cranston East Thunderbolt Battalion throughout the year.

Howard Chun, a science teacher at Cranston East, and Christine Karpinski, Cadet Captain Joseph Bellotti’s mother, were awarded the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment. Howard Chun was recognized for the commitment he has given toward the battalion. Ms. Karpinski was recognized for her commitment toward the Drill Team.

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Villeda described the evening as appreciative and, “A memorial to those who served, will serve, and support to those who have or will serve.”