By U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Henry E. Mooberry Division Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – The members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) Henry E. Mooberry Division Honor Guard were recently recognized aboard USS Barry (DD 933) as the area’s best non-active duty Honor Guard.

Judges in the City of Hyattsville, Md. declared the Sea Cadet unit’s Honor Guard better than all band, school, civic organization and military color guards participating in the city’s 124th Anniversary Parade held in April, 2010.

Ms. Cheri Everhart, representing the city’s Department of Recreation and the Arts, presented the award. “It’s always a pleasure to have such a great group of young people take part in the festivities,” she said.

Sea Cadet Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Cirone, told the assembled crowd, “We are truly honored for this recognition. Our Honor Guard works hard to make sure they are the very best. You can bet we are looking forward to the 125th Anniversary parade and competing again for first place.”

The city’s recognition comes six months after the U.S. Navy’s Naval Support Activity Washington announced that the unit’s Honor Guard was judged by members of the Navy’s Ceremonial Honor Guard as having performed flawlessly during the annual Naval Junior Reserve Officer (NJROTC) Training Corps Drill Competition, held at the Washington Navy Yard in October, 2009.

Cadets Anthonly Stephens, Kristine Plata, Rodney Thomas and Sean Thomas, left to right, members of the award winning Color Set of the unit’s Honor Guard enjoy a free moment before the start of the Hyattsville, Md. 124th Anniversary Parade. (USNSCC Photo/Released)

Throughout its long history, the unit has earned and maintained the distinction of being known for its outstanding honor guard, which includes multiple color guard and ceremonial operations components.

Members of the Henry E. Mooberry Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, frequently perform for Congressional members, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Commandant of the Coast Guard, top officials of the Navy League of the United States, Navy Memorial, Fleet Reserve Association and others.

The Sea Cadet Honor Guard also provides honors at military funerals, promotions and retirement ceremonies, as well as participates in parades and special events, presenting the flags of the United States, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

In June, members of the unit’s Honor Guard presented the colors for the heads of the naval services and other military and defense industry leaders at a weeknight event sponsored by the Navy League of the United States (NLUS). “The cadets did a flawless job. They received enthusiastic applause,” said NLUS National President Daniel B. Branch, Jr.

In May, the unit’s Honor Guard provided cadets as greeters and side boys for top naval officials, during the 2010 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, the largest naval exposition held. Additionally, the unit’s Honor Guard presented the colors at the Sea Service banquet, featuring Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen, who was the keynote speaker.

Branch noted, “Their participation as an honor cordon at the VIP Reception and later that evening as Color Guard at the black-tie banquet were notable ways to showcase these dedicated young people. They did a superb job.”

In September, 2009, with just 30 minutes advance notice, members of the Honor Guard had the privilege of retiring the nation’s colors at dusk at the U.S. Naval Observatory, the official home of the Vice President of the United States, in front of a crowd of 10,000 people during the first public ceremony since the September 11th attacks.

Based at the historic Washington Navy Yard, the Sea Cadet unit is one of the oldest, largest, most capable and most respected Sea Cadet units in the country. Its focus includes ceremonial operations, community service and public affairs; surface (boat and ship) and special operations.

The unit supports Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force and Navy League of the United States events and programs. It exposes youth, age 10 to 17 and adults age 18 and up, to all military branches of service, numerous occupational fields and encourages enrollment in college, by providing college scholarship and military academy opportunities.

In the unit’s 48 year history, more than 6,500 male and female youth have experienced “The Adventure of a Lifetime,” while increasing their self-confidence, self-discipline, courage and independence; learning leadership, self-reliance, new skills and building their moral, patriotic and personal values and character in a safe, drug-, alcohol-, tobacco- and gang-free environment, while having fun.

Many former Sea Cadets have been accepted into the nation’s military academies and other prestigious educational institutions; have entered the military services at advanced pay grades; and have become top military and business leaders and even astronauts, as well as model citizens.

The unit’s Sea Cadets form lifelong bonds and make new friends from around the world through its monthly training program as well as travel and training opportunities during school breaks in winter, spring and summer and participation in the International Exchange Program, which the unit helped develop in the 1970s.

By participating in the year-round Sea Cadet program, there is no obligation whatsoever to join the military. College scholarships are available for cadets seeking opportunities for higher education. The unit welcomes all interested personnel to seek more information at www.seacadetsdc.org.