On the evening of April 6, the Cranston Country Club was the setting for the Cranston High School East JROTC program’s 30th annual Dining Out event.

Cadet First Sgt. Amy Jimenez served as the master of ceremonies for the gathering, which was steeped in tradition. It included toasts, a Punch Bowl ceremony and the cutting of the star-shaped cake with a saber.

The event began with the presentation of an Honorary Colonel of the Regiment award to Mayor Allan Fung, who expressed his thanks and pride in the students. Also honored throughout the evening for their dedication to the JROTC program were parent Michelle Lenk, who has two students in the JROTC program, and Cranston Herald reporter Pam Schiff.

“The purpose of this year’s JROTC Dining Out is to commemorate the great success of earning Honor Unit With Distinction once again in the accreditation of the 2018-2019 school year,” Jimenez said. “We also want to recognize those who made great contributions to our successful accreditation and extensive service learning project, the revitalization of the Vietnam memorial.”

Jimenez spoke about the revitalization project, which focused on the Vietnam memorial located near City Hall.

The memorial was a gift from the class of 1969, and Jimenez said over the years, “the area had fallen into a state of neglect.”

“It was overgrown, most of the plants were dead, the spotlights no longer worked, and the area just did not pay tribute to those Americans who had served and sacrificed everything in Vietnam,” she said. “Last year, the JROTC class of 2019 planned and executed an extensive service learning project with the intent to bring life and vitality back to the memorial. Along with new shrubbery, mulch and tree work, the class designed and commissioned a new black granite memorial dedicated to all who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.”

Jimenez praised Cadet Lt. Col. Chenda Rivera for serving as the lead project officer for the effort.

Jimenez also recognized the senior leaders of the 30th Corps of the Cranston Cadets, who were seated at the head table – Battalion Commander Cadet Lt. Col. Eric Test, Battalion Executive Officer Cadet Lt. Col. Serena Mora and Battalion C Command Sgt. Maj. Geryl Vargas.

Cadet Roland Hansen also spoke about the Vietnam memorial project and explained the significance of the empty table and chair in the front of the room.

“Many of you may have noticed that there is an empty table with a single place setting, here for those absent to this occasion due to their service to this country costing them their life. The place setting is to show their legacy shall remain with us, remembering their mark in history equally as much as their seat among us,” he said. “A single rose, being the national flower, is surrounded by 12 violets, the state flower, representing the 12 Cranstonians lost in Vietnam. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

Battalion Commander Eric Testa then came to the podium, thanking the honored guests and all present for their attendance at the event. He congratulated the JROTC students on this year’s successes and spoke fondly of the bonds created through their shared experience.

“Throughout my time in JROTC, I had made many friends who have became a second family to me. As a senior class, we overcame many obstacles together, experienced many stressful days, and accomplished goals that we never imagined we would be able to,” he said. “The Vietnam memorial, along with the numerous drill victories this year, will be our mark on the battalion. There are some classes that go unnoticed and will be forgotten, but I believe that our accomplishments have made a lasting impact and will help guide the battalion further into the future.”

Testa offered some advice to those who will follow this year’s senior class.

“To the freshman class, I’ll warn you that the burden of the next accreditation lies on your class now. You guys sit where I sat three years ago. You owe it to the classes before you and the classes that will come after you to maintain the status of Honor Unit with Distinction,” he said. “To the junior class, let me give one piece of advice. A wise man once said, ‘Who’s the more foolish, the fool or the fool that follows?’ You will see people not only in JROTC but in life lose motivation, get into bad habits and fray from their course to success. Don’t be the fool and follow. Be a leader and use everything you’ve got to attain your goals. If your leadership fails, then use the lessons that have been presented to you and continue on.”

During the ceremonial cake-cutting, former cadet Camila Molina was honored for her dedication and efforts.

“The five-pointed star, also known as the nautical star, is a symbol of finding your way in life or finding your way back home,” Jimenez said. “Former cadet Camila Molina is one of the best battalion commanders Cranston High School East JROTC has ever seen. After a long, seven-year drought, it was Camila’s leadership during the 2015-16 accreditation that was responsible for bringing the Honor Unit with Distinction status back to Cranston East and the 27th Corps of Cadets. She was also the captain of our award-winning drill team and was a major reason for its success.”

Testa presented Molina with the first slice of cake, while James Angily, a cadet and member of the class of 2022, presented the second slice of cake to Rivera.

Additionally, Mora presented a slice of cake to Cadet Private J’Ly Khea – in doing so, ceremonially passing on the responsibility of the gold star to the future leaders of the Thunderbolt Battalion.