Linden High School Celebrates Veterans Day NJROTC

Linden High School Navy Junior Officer Reserve Training Corps (NJROTC) honored our veterans, active duty soldiers, reserves,national guard forces and their families with a celebration on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in the Linden High School gymnasium The Linden High School Veterans Day event included patriotic music, speakers, and the ceremonial Navy cutting of the cake.
The U.S. Navy was founded on Oct. 13, 1775 by an act of the Continental Congress. As the Navy has grown, it’s created its own traditions, including one around its birthday. The Linden High School NJROTC birthday cake is cut by the most senior Veteran in attendance and the most junior cadet at the same time. The tradition is said to represent passing knowledge and experience from one generation to the next. The most senior Veteran in attendance was John Kuhtik, a World War II Veteran and our most junior cadet was C/SA Emmanuel Acosta. Veteran John Kuhtik was enlisted in the United States Navy on July 14, 1944 at 18 years old. He was assigned to CVE-107, USS Gilbert Islands and served in combat in the Pacific Theater. He was a Gunners Mate 3rd Class and crewed a 5 inch Gun. He and his crew were involved in action off Okinawa Japan and also Leyte Philippines. The toughest part of his service was the operations off Okinawa dealing with the Kamikaze Pilots intent on destroying aircraft carriers such as the USS Gilbert Islands. He was honorably discharged from the USN in August 1946.
During his war time service John Kuhtik was awarded: the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal Philippine Liberation Medal.
Linden High School NJROTC Cadets performed the “Olde Glory” flag passing ceremony in honor of the oldest living veteran in attendance, Gunners Mate 3rd Class John Kuhtik, USN. Mr. Kuhtik was presented the National Ensign in a very moving ceremony.
The unit was established in 1986 and originally had approximately 90 cadets in the first years of its establishment. Currently the Linden High School NJROTC has an impressive number of about 400 cadets enrolled in the program. All of the Linden Public Schools celebrate America.