EL PASO, Texas - Candidates and volunteers of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, Paso Del Norte Chapter from Fort Bliss delivered uniforms to the Bel-Air High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Jan. 24 at the school JROTC building.
“We donated Physical Fitness Uniforms, Army Service Uniforms, Class A and Army Combat Uniforms,” said Sgt. Ruby Contreras, a SAMC candidate. “It’s nice to be out here serving my country and my community.”
In addition to receiving uniforms, Bel-Air cadets heard about the soldier’s experiences while serving in the Army.
“It was really awesome that we got the uniforms because we really need them and appreciate the soldiers coming out and sharing their experiences in the Army with us,” said Arturo Rodriguez, cadet brigade executive officer at Bel-Air High School. “It’s cool that we got to hear the experiences because it really has an impact on what we want to do in the military.”
The cadets were inspired by the soldiers visiting their school and gained an understanding of the various jobs in the Army.
“It was a great experience because we got to learn about all the jobs the Army has to offer,” said Saul Navarro, cadet brigade commander at Bel-Air High School. “I didn’t know that there are jobs for everything in the Army.”
The cadets were not the only ones that were glad to get the uniforms.
Letha Lawson, a JROTC teacher and retired sergeant major, mentioned the importance of uniforms.
“The soldiers from Fort Bliss didn’t let us down, giving to the cadets made a difference,” said Lawson. “A uniform means a lot, even to a cadet, because uniforms carry a big message.”
This is an example of some of the ways SAMC members reach out to the communities outside of their respective installations.
SAMC members of the Paso Del Norte Chapter Fort Bliss serve the El Paso community by supporting local JROTC programs by making donations and judging in drill competitions as well as participating in local events such as the Relay for Life walk and reading to school children.
For more information about the club, visit www.facebook.com/blisssamc.