A rare and special opportunity arose during THE PLAYERS Patriot’s Outpost military celebration on March 10 for America’s Greatest Generation of World War II veterans to meet America’s next generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
THE PLAYERS honored Sollie Mitchell, Jacksonville’s oldest surviving WWII veteran at 101 years, during a formal military ceremony at the Patriot’s Outpost on hole 16. Also honored during the ceremony were several Nease NJROTC cadets who have signed contracts to join the Armed Forces upon graduation from high school in May.
The event presented an ideal opportunity to symbolically pass the torch of military service to this nation from the servicemen from America’s Greatest Generation to our next generation of servicemen and women.
“I was humbled beyond belief after meeting Mr. Mitchell,” said Elkhan Bagirov, a U.S. Air Force Academy appointee. “It hits home of our responsibility to carry on the absolute finest military traditions of honor, courage and commitment to duty.
Photo provided by Nease NJROTC
