Paloma Valley NJROTC Cadets Honored at Awards Ceremony

Cadet William Hull accepts the VFW Award as Cadet of the Year from Post 1956 Commander Pete Maroosis.

Members of Menifee VFW Post 1956 joined others in attendance in saluting members of the Paloma Valley High School NJROTC program at its awards program earlier this month.

Master Sergeant Frank Puebla, leader of the Cadet Corps, announced the awards along with program director Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Fitzgerald. This was the first awards ceremony since the program was raised to Battalion status.

Many veterans were in attendance, including a contingent from the Marine Corps League and the Surface Navy Association. An honored guest was Sergeant Major Bardwell (right) of Hemet. He served in World War II at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, was wounded in action and received the Purple Star.

Commander Pete Maroosis of VFW Post 1956 presented the VFW annual award for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership to Cadet William Hull.

"Cadet Hull has ambitions past the Cadet Corps and high school and is in the running for an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis," said Joe Quinn, Senior Vice Commander of Post 1956. "Everyone associated with the Cadet program at Paloma Valley High can have a great sense of pride in this young man and the potential he has for success as a person and in what he undertakes."

In order to be recognized by the VFW, a Cadet must have shown strong personal attributes consistent with military requirements such as self confidence and judgment skills while constantly demonstrating initiative and flexibility. The award also recognizes the individual's patriotism, command capability and military skills. A successful grade point average in the NJROTC class work and in all school subjects is also required.