ROTC Color Guard Performs Opening Ceremony for Charlotte Knights Baseball

The Scottish Highlander Battalion, made up of ROTC students from Newberry College, Presbyterian College and Lander University, performed the Presentation of the Colors for the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team as part of the team’s season opener ceremony held April 6, in Charlotte, N.C.

The color guard [pictured L to R] included:
CDT Joseph Jenkins, a senior at Newberry College
CDT Avion Mickens, a freshman at Lander University
CDT Lee-Ann Salim, a junior at Presbyterian College
CDT Brandon Patrick, a freshman at Newberry College
CDT Nicholas Schon, a junior at Newberry College.

Senior Military Science Instructor MSG Skip McMillan tasked CDT Patrick with serving as Sergeant of the Guard. In this leadership role, CDT Patrick was responsible for selecting and training the other members of the color guard, arranging transportation and commanding the guard during their performance.

“Coordinating everything and teaching the cadets all of the rifle and flag movements was a lot to do, but I enjoyed it.” Said CDT Patrick. “It’s something I did throughout high school in JROTC. I’ve had opportunities to perform at other events, including the 9//1 memorial ceremony in Columbia, S.C., but the Charlotte Knights season opener was one of the biggest I’ve done.”

MSG McMillian, who works with the ROTC programs at all three institutions, arranged the Color Guard’s appearance.

“Earlier in the year, the cadets told me they were interested in doing more off-campus activities,” MSG McMillan said. “Our Color Guard detail is solid, so I began looking for opportunities. In February, we learned the Highlander Battalion Color Guard had been selected for the opening day ceremonies of the Charlotte Knights.”

“I’m proud to have represented Newberry College and our ROTC Highlander Battalion in this way,” CDT Patrick said. “It was so worth the effort when everyone’s combined efforts came together as we did in Charlotte.”