Butler High School Army JROTC Leads the Way for the Matthews Alive Parade

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Story by and Photos by: C/2LT Zackary Baltimore

Butler High School Army JROTC started the school year off on the right foot in support of this year’s Matthews Alive parade.  On Saturday the 2^nd of September, the Bulldog Battalion was the lead element in the Matthews Alive parade through downtown Matthews, NC.  The formation included a color guard for the national colors, a section for the Battalion staff, and a platoon element of new and returning Cadets.  This was the first community event for our first-year Cadets, who only received their uniforms, and marching instruction earlier that week.  All Cadets skillfully represented Butler High School and took great pride in celebrating with our community.

This was a great opportunity for our new Cadet leaders to plan for support of our community, for returning Cadets to practice their drill & ceremony skills, and for brand new Cadets to interact with more experienced Cadets while showcasing newly learned skills.   

The parade was part of the Matthews Alive Festival held over Labor Day weekend.  The sponsored events were dedicated to local non-profit organizations. The family activities, food vendors, artisan booths and nightly entertainment all showcased the skills of local Matthews’ small businesses and community support organizations.  Net proceeds earned from the festival were given back to the community in support of non-profit organizations, and for assisting with the services they provide in order to enhance the quality of life in our area.