Fort Bragg General visits Jersey Village High School
By Capt. Sammy Ray Woodburn Sr.
USAREC, Houston Battalion,
Photo by Thalia Gutierrez
There was a three star surprise awaiting JROTC students of Jersey Village High School in Houston, Texas in December, when they found the commander of 20,000 American Soldiers waiting to talk to them.
Lieutenant Gen. Joseph Anderson, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, N.C., was in Houston that month for an engagement and asked to speak with a high school class.
Anderson asked the class for their thoughts on topics such as gun control, universal health-care, leadership, their plans after high school, and what it takes to be successful in life.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Buys, a recruiter in Houston’s North Recruiting Company who works with and mentors students at the school, coordinated the event.
Principal Ralph Funk said the students and staff truly enjoyed the general’s visit.
“General Anderson provided our students the opportunity to interact with a person actively involved and responsible for shaping the future of our country
and world for many of our students,” Funk said.
“General Anderson is the most powerful individual they will ever meet. His low-key, down-to-earth approach with our students enabled them to have honest and open dialogue with him. Few schools are honored to have such a high-ranking officer address students. We are happy General Anderson was able to make time to come to Jersey Village High School.”
Anderson concluded the visit by presenting certificates to a few of the students selected by Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor Air Force Maj. (Ret.) Dennis Martinez. School representatives presented Anderson with a certificate of recognition and made him an “Honorary Falcon” at the high school.
By Capt. Sammy Ray Woodburn Sr.
USAREC, Houston Battalion,
Photo by Thalia Gutierrez
There was a three star surprise awaiting JROTC students of Jersey Village High School in Houston, Texas in December, when they found the commander of 20,000 American Soldiers waiting to talk to them.
Lieutenant Gen. Joseph Anderson, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, N.C., was in Houston that month for an engagement and asked to speak with a high school class.
Anderson asked the class for their thoughts on topics such as gun control, universal health-care, leadership, their plans after high school, and what it takes to be successful in life.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Buys, a recruiter in Houston’s North Recruiting Company who works with and mentors students at the school, coordinated the event.
Principal Ralph Funk said the students and staff truly enjoyed the general’s visit.
“General Anderson provided our students the opportunity to interact with a person actively involved and responsible for shaping the future of our country
and world for many of our students,” Funk said.
“General Anderson is the most powerful individual they will ever meet. His low-key, down-to-earth approach with our students enabled them to have honest and open dialogue with him. Few schools are honored to have such a high-ranking officer address students. We are happy General Anderson was able to make time to come to Jersey Village High School.”
Anderson concluded the visit by presenting certificates to a few of the students selected by Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor Air Force Maj. (Ret.) Dennis Martinez. School representatives presented Anderson with a certificate of recognition and made him an “Honorary Falcon” at the high school.