The Mountaineer Battalion Celebrated a Full and Special Weekend 9-11 November, 2017
Several seniors were able to socialize with a handful of ROTC Alumni at the Heroes Game tailgate on Duck Pond Field. The tailgate was co-sponsored by the App State Military Affairs Committee and Student Veterans Organization. ROTC helped with set up.
The Pershing Rifle Color Guard marched the National Colors across the field to “America the Beautiful” and a display of deployed ROTC Alumni with App Flag photos. After the National Anthem Colonel “Bo” Clayton presided over the coin toss-- It was the first of his many duties during the weekend.
Between the 1st and 2nd quarter Major Kleman, the Professor of Military Science, ceremonially contracted nine Cadets in the Northern endzone. For the second year in a row, chants of “USA, USA” echoed through the stadium as the detail marched off.
The Mountaineer Battalion had the honor of hosting several JROTCs for the halftime playing of the Armed Forces Medley. The Army Service Flag was presented by Hickory High School Army JROTC; The Marine Corp Service Flag was presented by Watauga High School USMC JROTC; The Navy Service Flags was presented by West Lincoln High School Naval JROTC; The Air Force Service Flag was presented by North Wilkes High School Air Force JROTC and the Coast Guard Service Flags was presented by West Caldwell High School Naval JROTC. Check out the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRK8cd6zCiM
During the third quarter, the University honored Larry and Wesley Bauguess as Alumni of the Game. They met on campus and were married in December 1993. Larry graduated in 1993 and Wesley in 1994. Both were commissioned as Army Officers through App State ROTC. Larry was a Psychology major and served as an Infantry Officer while Wesley majored in Communications and led as a Medical Service Officer. She left Active Duty in 1999 but continued to serve as a Reservist, Army Wife, and mother. Sadly, Major Larry Bauguess, was killed in action along the Afghanistan and Pakistan border in May 2007 while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. Despite her loss, Wesley continued to serve soldiers and families by creating and leading the 82nd Airborne Division Wounded Warrior Committee, an all-volunteer organization that visited and provided comfort items for the wounded Paratroopers of the All-American Division. In 2009, the National Military Family Association recognized her as a Very Important Patriot, an honor limited to only five worldwide volunteers each year. She is the proud mother of two amazing young ladies, a member of the Speakers’ Bureau for the Folds of Honor Foundation, an ambassador for the Patriot Foundation and the author of the book God, Country, Golf: Reflections of an Army widow. Also in attendance were their daughters Ryann and Ellie, as well as, Larry’s parents John and Martha Bauguess. Needless to say this Gold Star family and special alumni was well received by the App Family at the Rock.
As previously posted, the Cadet Battalion celebrated Veterans Day with a moving ceremony on campus. Col. Ralph L. “Bo” Clayton III, was the speaker and the Cadets raised the flag and lined the flag walkway.
Colonel Clayton was again behind the podium that evening as he spoke at the Dining-In. The Dining- In is the annual dinner ceremony where comradery is celebrated amidst good natured skits and mutual ribbing.Pictured below- CPT Brown and Cadets enjoy the evening.
Ultimately the weekend was an excellent testament to the cohesion and traditions that bond the Cadets and Soldiers of today with their successors in the future and the veterans of the past.
ROTC Yosef Fires the Musket Announcing the Team
ROTC Yosef Signals the Start of the Heroes Day Game