USAC Celebrates 103rd Year of Program's Lineage

[COL Land]

Today marks 103rd anniversary of the lineage of the U.S. Army Cadet Corps. On April 10th, 1909, our program was "born" in New York City. Happy Birthday to all Cadets, past and present!

USAC has a variety of anniversary events scheduled for this weekend:



Lt Col Kenneth T. McFarland, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Retired), a native of Lexington, Ky, and the great-grandfather of Cadet SGT Matthew Puryear of Paris, Ky, will be the Grand Marshall for the 4th Annual Parade of Cadets to be held in Millersburg on April 14th, beginning at 10 am.   

Over 30 units, including the Bourbon County High School "Colonels" Marching Band, will celebrate the 119 year heritage of Cadetting in Millersburg and the 103 year history of the U.S. Army Cadet Corps. 

Lt. Col McFarland entered the Army Air Corps and became a pilot in Feb 1943.  During WWII, he flew B-17's for the 91st Bomb Group which was part of the 8th Air Force.  While in the 8th Air Force he was chosen to be the pilot for General Dwight D. Eisenhower.  He was credited for 30 missions, mostly flown in his plane known as the Blue Dreams.  His final mission was clearing the beaches at Normandy the night before D-day.

He later became a member of the Strategic Air Command and flew B-52's.  He was a pilot for Jimmy Stewart in the movie Strategic Air Command.  He also served in Missiles in Mountain Home, Idaho.  He was stationed in many places, the last being in Torrejon AFB, in Madrid, Spain.  He retired after 28 years of honorable service. 

The parade is open to the public.  Units can still register by contacting CPT Evan Harrod at evan.k.harrod@armycadets.org .  For details on the U.S. Army Cadet Corps, go to www.goarmycadets.com .   



Major General Edward W. Tonini, the Adjutant General of Kentucky, will give the keynote address at the U.S. Army Cadet Corps' Anniversary Ball this Saturday, beginning at 7 pm, at Forest Hill Station in Millersburg.

In December of 2007 General Tonini was asked by Governor Steve Beshear to become the Commonwealth's 51st Adjutant General. As Adjutant General, he is responsible for the recruiting, training and mobilization of more than 8,400 members of the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard in the defense of our nation and service to the citizens of the commonwealth.

He also serves as executive head of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, the state's primary agency in dealing with natural disasters and emergencies. General Tonini serves on the Governor's cabinet and is the principle advisor to the governor on military matters within the commonwealth.

The ball is open to the public. For information, or to purchase tickets, contact 2LT Joseph M. Land, Jr. at 859-484-2100, extension 32. For details on the U.S. Army Cadet Corps, go to www.goarmycadets.com .

[COL Land]

Great weekend!  The U.S. Army Cadet Corps (USAC) celebrated a 103 year lineage of serving America's youth.   Here are some highlights:

   *  Go here for a TV News Story on our Parade of Cadets and our Grand Marshall, Lt Col McFarland, USAF(Ret.)

   *  Go here for photos of the weekend's activities, including our Parade of Cadets and Birthday Ball.

Officer and Cadet of the Year: 

          CPT Beth Szydzik, AG, USAC - Detroit Michigan
          C/SSG Adam Clifford, USAC - Cynthiana, Kentucky

BG Charles Tornow, Commanding General, and COL Joseph M. Land, Sr., Chief of Staff were honored through induction in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Hooah!