Junior ROTC Day of Challenge

You may think fifth-graders don’t know much about the military.

But if they’re part of the Junior ROTC program, they know quite a bit.

Some proof of that knowledge was in play in Houghton on Saturday.

Michigan Tech hosted middle and high schoolers from across the state for the Day of Challenges program.

Program director Butch Paavola says the event is sponsored by the Department of Michigan VFW and Local VFW posts.

The Michigan Tech Army and Air Force ROTC units host the day every year.

MTU ROTC battalion commander Dustin Hein says they waant to give back to the community by hosting all the kids, including about 50 home-schooled Junior ROTC cadets.

The Department of Michigan VFW pays for all awards and meals for the 148 participants and about 70 ROTC cadets.

Posted by: Mike Hoey