We the People: Mobile County JROTC students volunteer at Oaklawn Cemetery

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile County Public School’s JROTC units and middle school LOTC program spent their morning cleaning up Oaklawn Cemetery, a final resting place for more than 10,000 people, many of them veterans -- their graves marked by an American Flag.

The students raked, bagged, mowed and used weed-eaters to get the cemetery back in order.

“We are cleaning up the cemetery to make it more nice and easier for family members to see their loved ones that have passed away because it’s like a lot of leaves and branches. So, we’re just cleaning it up to make it easier,” said Alexandria Otis, a student in the LOTC program at Calloway-Smith Middle School.

Lt. Col. Chevelle Thomas, director of Army instruction for all Mobile County Public School System JROTC and LOTC programs, said they try to volunteer at the cemetery at least once a year.

“It’s not every day that our young people volunteer to yard work, lawn work, maintenance. And so for them to come out here and do this — it makes my heart smile. And to see them come outside — get some sun — and do something positive at the same time — it’s just remarkable,” Thomas said.

Many of the young cadets are exploring military options after high school and say it’s an honor to give back to those who have served.

“We have a lot of fun with it even though it is a lot of work. And I myself — I want to be in the military one day — so, it makes me feel good to give back to the people who came before me,” said Kaden Brooks, brigade command sergeant major for Mobile County Public School System JROTC and a Baker High School senior.

Trinity Moore, brigade commander for Mobile County Public School System JROTC and an Alma Bryant High School senior, said JROTC focuses on community service.

“JROTC is all about making people better citizens and giving back to the community. So, we come out here and we clean up, especially for the veterans because there’s over 1,200 veterans out here. Because freedom doesn’t come free... and they fought for their country. We just come out here to give back to them,” Moore said.