Gulf High NJROTC on the march for needed equipment

This article appeared in the Suncoast News on Oct. 29, 2003.

By CHERYL BENTLEY

NEW PORT RICHEY -- For their frequent out-of-town competitions, students in the Junior ROTC unit at Gulf High School must carry a 150-pound crate of rifles on and off the bus, press the wrinkles from their uniforms resulting from storing them in the luggage compartment, and reshine their shoes, which have become scuffed and smudged from banging around amidst the gear.

All the extra work could be avoided if the JROTC students had a trailer in which rifles could remain on a much-lighter gun rack, uniforms on their own stands, and shoes in protective containers.

"In the state of Florida most of the competitive units have trailers," said retired Lt. Ray Wysocki, JROTC instructor. "We want to be competitive."

The group will hold a garage sale this Saturday to raise funds to buy the specially fitted trailer.

Retired Chief Petty Officer Dana Saunders, who is the program's other instructor, said that enthusiasm among the 115 JROTC students at Gulf High School is high, both for the garage sale and the program.

"Some of the kids," he said with a smile, "think this is their home."

His students, during an Oct. 18 meet in Jacksonville, had their best competitive performance to date, placing first in personal inspection, second in obstacle course and academics, and third in basic drill marching. They garnered an overall third rank among 14 teams. Cadet Amanda Whitlatch finished third out of 70 students in the academic competition.

The Nov. 1 fund-raising garage sale will be held on the campus of Gulf High School, 5355 School Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

To donate articles or for more information, call 774-3352.