RIO GRANDE CITY – When the cadets in Rio Grande City High School’s Army Junior ROTC program put on their uniforms, mount their horses, and march in line, they help re-create local history.
More than a decade ago, school leaders and community members decided to create a stronger link to this city’s military past by modeling the high school’s JROTC program after the U.S. Army’s 12th Cavalry Unit, which was stationed at the city’s Fort Ringgold from 1848 through World War II.
During the 2002-03 school year, the school district added horses to the Rio Grande City High School’s Junior Army ROTC unit, paying further homage to the 12th Cavalry Unit.
Now, 10 years later, 23 JROTC Cadets, four of them on horses and two riding in a mule-led wagon, march in parades and other events. Their uniforms, saddles and other equipment are replicas of what the 12th Cavalry wore and used. The unit remains the only Army JROTC that uses horses.
Read more about this great program by clicking here.
picture courtesy of themonitor.com