Citizen Portal
Sign In

Oregon City JROTC cadets describe Normandy trip, graduation and ceremonies at school board meeting

5744973 · September 9, 2025

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

JROTC instructors and students presented photos and personal reflections about a June trip to Normandy and Paris where cadets participated in D-Day remembrance ceremonies and graduation events; students credited community fundraising and local organizations for support.

Representatives of the Oregon City High School JROTC addressed the board on Sept. 8 to report on a June educational trip to Normandy and Paris where cadets participated in D‑Day remembrance events and a graduation ceremony.

Major Doug Thomas, senior Army instructor, introduced three cadets who shared their experiences, including marching in parades, attending ceremonies at Omaha Beach and touring historical sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. Cadet Grant Coutts described marching in the parade and a saber detail that ultimately was not used. "The adrenaline kinda pushed us up a little bit," he said of the parade experience.

Cadet Sadie Couch said she delivered a speech at an Omaha Beach D‑Day ceremony and described the experience as "a really cool honor" and impactful for her. Several cadets thanked Major Thomas and community organizations that supported their fundraising. Cadet speakers cited Angels in the Outfield and local car clubs as contributors and described fundraising outside grocery stores to cover trip costs.

Major Thomas noted the trip was organized through an educational tour company that recruits JROTC groups to participate in overseas remembrance ceremonies and that the group has worked with the company for past trips to Hawaii and other events. He encouraged continued community support for future travel opportunities.

The presentation included photos and videos; Major Thomas said recordings of the parade, graduation and Sadie Couch’s speech are posted on the school site and on YouTube. The board thanked the cadets and instructors for the presentation.