A Little Bit of History

JROTC takes annual trip to Corpus Christi, USS Lexington

The JROTC cadets traveled to Corpus Christi for their annual trip to visit the World War II aircraft carrier USS Lexington that was commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1991.
“The part that stayed in my mind from the Lexington were the ghost stories told about the dead crew members,” sophomore Charles Rust said. “These stories were told because members lost their lives in battle against Japan in World War II.”
The ship was also the oldest carrier in use when it was decommissioned and set more records than any aircraft carrier in naval aviation history. The USS Lexington holds a record for shooting down 15 aircrafts and assisting in downing five more aircrafts. The ship is currently a museum and hosts tours.
“We learned a lot of Lexington’s history,” junior Eshita Velani said. “We saw all of the equipment that was present there before, and it was really interesting.”
The trip also created a stronger bond among members of the JROTC community and taught them how important their roles are when they cooperate.
“This whole trip has taught me one important value in life: teamwork,” Rust said. “Looking at each exhibit on the ship, I could see how important it is to work on a team. If a single crew member did not do their duty, the entire ship would sink. So, I am planning on encouraging every cadet to do their part so the corps can run smoothly.”