Story by: Cadet/PV2 Jameson Bogard
On November 4th, 2022, the 9th JROTC Battalion hosted a “Route of Valor“, where cadets honored many service members by telling their stories of bravery and patriotism. There were nine stations where cadets role-played and shared these stories: Michael Christensen, a Vietnam War POW; the Black Bicycle Corps members of the 1890s, 1SG Pascal Poolaw, a Native American who served in Vietnam; Ted Akimoto, a Japanese-American who served in WWII; Joseph Quintero, a Mexican-American who was a POW of the Japanese in WWII; Hazel Ying Lee, a Chinese-American woman who was a WASP in WWII; Tibor Rubin, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who served during the Korean War; Sarah Edmonds, a women who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Civil War; and SFC Alwyn Cashe, an African-American Medal of Honor recipient who served in Iraq. Cadet E. McCaskill who was a narrator for Ted Akimoto remarked, “ I really liked how the stories were written, they were a little long but went in a little more depth than you would expect.” Cadet. Roman, who was one of the actors, stated, “It was very organized and exciting to act as one of the soldiers who fought.”
Cadet ushers greeted guests at the door and handed out maps of the station locations. Ansbach Middle High School art students decorated luminaries that were placed in the school hallways along the “Route of Valor.” Cadets also served refreshments donated by the local American Legion and USO.
Cadet Haynes (who was the narrator for Michael Christensen) had this to say about the event, “ I really liked the presenting part of it and getting to interact with some of the people and answer their questions.”

Cdt/MSG Lillian Daniels dressed as a WWII and Cdt/SFC Evan Slider share the story of Hazel Ying Lee.
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadet Pohlman, dressed in a Vietnam War era uniform, and Cadet Miranda poster with their poster of 1SG Pascal Poolaw
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadet Robertson, playing the role of LT Moss, and Cadet Schuck tell the story of the “Black Army on Wheels.”
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Dressed in Civil War period uniforms, Cadets Bird and Johnson narrate the story Sarah Edmonds.
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadets Antonetty and Barba next to their poster of Medal of Honor recipient SFC Alwyn Cashe
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadets McCaskill and Roman sharing the story of the Akimoto brothers service during WWII.
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cdt/SGT Duran-Stanton in a WWII Uniform, and Cdt/SGT McCaskill describe the experiences of POW Joseph Quintero.
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadets Willis and Tuazon share the story of Medal of Honor recipient Tibor Rubin.
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadets Haynes and Bogard pose with the SAI next to their poster of Michael Christian
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts

Cadets serve food at the Route of Valor
Photo Credit: MAJ (Ret) Madonna L. Roberts