Kingsley High School NJROTC Invited to March in Washington DC’s Memorial Day Parade

Kingsley’s program is the only ROTC unit selected from Michigan. Just one unit from each state was chosen to participate.

Kingsley High School’s Naval Junior Officer’s Reserve Training Corps (NJROTC) has been invited to march in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on Monday, May 25, 2026. 

Kingsley’s 65 cadets are now fundraising to attend and participate in the nation’s tribute to fallen veterans and the heroes who continue to serve our country.

The National Memorial Day Parade is a three hour procession that marches along the National Mall. The patriotic event features 10,000 people from all 50 states, commemorating service members from World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Desert Storm, and operations in Grenada, Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. 

“This opportunity is a profound honor for our cadets. It represents not only a chance to stand in the nation’s capital and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also a moment of pride for our school, our families, and our state,” said KHS instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Mathew Barr.

Gunnery Sergeant Barr at the NJROTC Pinning Ceremony in October 2024

The cadets’ Memorial Day Parade experience also includes guided tours of sites like Arlington Cemetery, the Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, and a concert from the National Symphony at the US Capitol. 

“For our cadets, marching in this historic parade is more than just an event—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Michigan on a national stage, honor our fallen heroes, and live the values of service, leadership, and patriotism that our program instills every day.”

Now, GySgt Barr and his cadets are beginning a massive fundraising effort to attend this life-changing experience. 

Kingsley’s unit is just beginning its second school year. In its first full year, cadets received recognition across the region, earning high marks at their first regional inspection and praise at the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge at Fort Custer. 

Several cadets have been honored individually for outstanding achievements, including cadet Anna Bauer, who was was one of ten people selected for the international Commander Naval Air Forces Flight Academy Scholarship. This summer, she earned her private pilot’s license in the program valued at $28,000 per student.