It has been said that one of the most healing and restorative actions a person can take is to be of service to others. The service is therapeutic in many ways. When absorbed in our world which can sometimes be very painful, a simple act of service not only lifts us out of pain, but it also puts something good in our community. Sometimes our service is bold, sometimes our service is in the details. Every service has an impact. Service can be as simple as putting the stranded grocery cart back in its stall to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage, like holding down a door, like not blocking an exit point from the parking lot so someone who is leaving can enter the traffic lane, such as picking up an item someone has dropped, or even saying hello to a stranger. For a moment, in all of this, there is a relief to live so far inside ourselves. Service can also be complex. Our law enforcement agencies provide service every day, some of them on our worst days. There are volunteer councils that ensure Sumter County experiences meaningful growth by recruiting businesses and achieving strategic goals to improve our future. Others serve in the arts and tourism to ensure Sumter County is enjoyed by citizens and visitors. In many faith-based institutions you will find people whose mission is to feed the hungry, help the poor, and restore weary souls. Service comes in many forms, and everyone decides what their service looks like. Just as actively choosing to serve is a choice, not participating in service is also not a choice. We, intentionally or not, make a decision.

Sumter County High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), which is a pathway to a professional career at Ignite College and Career Academy (CCA), takes the opportunity to serve seriously. This is an apt intention as their mission is to “motivate young students to become better citizens”. JROTC sees service as a direct way to becoming a better citizen. There are many reasons why good citizenship is important to JROTC. CCA’s task is to provide these students with the opportunity to determine whether military service would be a rewarding career for them. Our soldiers regard service to the country as a sacred duty. Knowing this, JROTC begins to instill the value of service in the development years. More recently, the JROTC has been hard at work sprucing up our town’s cemeteries, Oak Grove and East View.

Teaching service in the school has become a goal for some schools. Our education system sees the value of learning not only academically, but also learning in the service of others. The value placed on the benefits of good citizenship is a value that can be actively applied in an adult’s life, regardless of their plans for the future. Lt. Col. David Cook is responsible for “teaching teamwork and leadership in the classroom.” However, CCL knows the power of taking lessons in the classroom and applying the skills outside of the classroom. As the Lt. Col. says, the goal is “to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to the community outside.” Lt. Col. Cook explains further: “Service learning is an integral part of the JROTC program which integrates the meaning of community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach responsibility citizenship and strengthen communities”. With that goal in mind, on Friday, May 13, 65 cadets put their learning to work for the city of Americas.

Sargent Seth Howell had noted a need in the city cemeteries. He noticed that the citizens were worried. Knowing that if the citizens were concerned, the city of Americus would also be concerned, a contact was made with Mike Sistrunk, director of public works of Americus, to see how the cadets could put their skills at the service of the citizens. Mike was quick to welcome the cadets and a plan was put in place to beautify what many consider sacred ground. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Cook, the students went to work “the old fashioned way”. Instead of power tools, like blowers and trimmers, they had rakes, brooms and shovels. The Lieutenant Colonel says it was truly a “full day of manual labor and they enjoyed it and had a great time”. There was cleaning of graves, removal of natural debris such as leaves and fallen limbs, removal of tattered and faded floral arrangements and removal of trash were part of the event. What should not be overlooked is the pride in knowing that students have both achieved a citizen-defined goal and honed valuable skills that will be invested in their future endeavours.

Mayor Lee Kinnamon discusses history with students

While these students learn about military life, they also learn soft skills that make good employees of any type. Teamwork, leadership, completing the task in front of them, identifying a problem and taking initiative to solve it, following directions, being punctual and assisting colleagues are just a few of the skills that will prove beneficial no matter what. line of work they enter. The day was so effective that there is excitement for future opportunities to work hand-in-hand with the City of Americas or any other municipality.

The event was a great example of what JROTC and CCA are capable of. There was a standard set for anyone looking to upgrade our home. While there is a place and a need for people to identify a problem, there is an equally if not greater need for people to put their feet on the actions that improve the situation. On Friday, those feet belonged to 65 well-educated young cadets. What does CCA CEO Dr. Don Gilman think when he sees CCA’s mission come to life? He is quite proud of the cadets and their leaders. “Our staff and students go above and beyond. Both make a point of improving the future of this community and their own future by being of service not only to those they know, but to many, whose faces they may never see. It’s the character. That’s what makes a better world. One lesson at a time, one action at a time, is success. The lessons that culminated in this event will reverberate for generations. A strong community and good citizenship are worthy goals, and we are excited to see only the beginning of the fruits that will be reaped from these investments.

Work hard and get the job done

The next time you have the opportunity to set foot in service, remember these cadets. They are good examples of good citizenship. When a problem is identified, be ready to offer you the solution. No doubt the service itself will end up giving you the gift. You absolutely need more to appreciate the state of mind of these young adults. It is certain that these caddies will encourage you to bring your talents to the table. They are necessary. They are counting. They make us all shine.

Great job ladies and gentlemen, and on behalf of generations of Sumter County families, our residents, and the Town of Americas, we thank you for your hearts of service. It is also necessary. It matters too. You have made us all shine.