Westwood JROTC Honors Veterans with RROC Ceremony

Scott Seamon, Managing Editor| November 15, 2022

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  • Westwood’s JROTC presents the colors at the ceremony. The JROTC also presents the colors at sports games and various school events.

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  • Major General Ronald Burkett (U.S. Army) and Ms. Molly Burkett talk with Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan. Major General Burkett is stationed at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX as the Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division.

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  • Army Major General Ronald Burkett, Ms. Molly Burkett, Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan, Coast Guard Commander Richard Hamblet, and RRISD Police Chief Dennis Weiner pose for a photo at the Veteran’s Day ceremony.

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On Friday, Nov. 11, Westwood’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) participated in the Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Round Rock Opportunity Center (RROC). JROTC opened the ceremony with a presentation of the colors, which are accompanied by ceremonial drill rifles.

Veterans from all over the Central Texas area attended the ceremony, including teacher and Commander Richard Hamblet, U.S. Coast Guard retiree. Before Commander Hamblet’s current career as the CTE instructor at the RROC, he was a Designated Naval Aviator, flying Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin helicopters in the U.S. Coast Guard while stationed throughout the south and southeast United States from 1991 to 2011.

“I believe it’s really important to recognize Veterans Day at any campus because it’s a time to reflect on the commitment and sacrifices that [veterans] have made over time,” Commander Hamblet said. “It’s important to recognize those services and sacrifices when people are committing to a much bigger cause than themselves.”

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Major General Ronald Burkett, Commanding General of the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division, and there were nearly a dozen veterans of the RRISD community in attendance at the event. Community leaders, including RRISD Board Trustees members Dr. Kevin Johnson and Amy Weir, Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan, and RRISD Police Chief Dennis Wiener attended the ceremony as well.

For more information on Westwood’s JROTC, visit their website, or for more information on the Round Rock Opportunity Center, visit rroc.roundrockisd.org.