VFW Post 3278 and the Ladies Auxiliary made donations to the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Leadership Camp being held at Howard Payne University this week.

The VFW Post presented a check for $1000 and an additional $500 was presented from the ladies of the VFW.  The donation was made possible through fundraising efforts of VFW Post members who held a fundraising fish fry in March to benefit the JROTC camp.  This donation, according to Colonel Al Dunlap of Abilene, will help keep costs down for cadets who attend the camp and helps to pay for trophies awarded during the camp.

According to Colonel Carl Schuler of Round Rock, this year’s camp is host to 170 cadets from 23 different high schools throughout the state.  The majority of the cadets are from central Texas, from high schools from Abilene to Dallas/Ft. Worth to New Braunfels.

The camp began on Sunday and will conclude on Friday, with a speaker addressing cadets at the 8:00 a.m. graduation ceremony, followed by cadets performing during the parade at 9:00 a.m.  Several collegiate ROTC cadets are conducting all of the training under the supervision of ROTC instructors, volunteering their time to the camp, explained Colonel Schuler.

“This camp is rated one of the best in the country,” said Schuler.  “There are more than 700 years of military experience between all of the instructors and over 200 years in teaching experience.”

Pictured above are VFW Ladies Auxiliary President Major Jane Masters (right) and the Post’s Commander James Masters (left) with Colonel Dunlap after the presentation inside the Mabee University Center.

Below are some of the attending cadets in formation.