A large number of alumni of the Panther Valley Junior Reserved Officers Training Corps returned for the 40th annual Cadet Military Ball on Saturday to say how their experience in the unit has positively affected them.

The ball, held in Panther Valley High School, was attended by 100 people.

One of the highlights was the traditional mixing of the large bowl of punch, consisting of various types of drinks. The concoction was then distributed to the cadets.

Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Byers, a junior at Panther Valley, was in charge of mixing the punch, located on a table in the center of the room. He continually tasted it as he mixed, which at times proved to be an unpleasant task as evidenced by his expression.

Finally he reached the right mixture and the drink was doled out.

Among the alumni was Capt. Chris Haggard, a 2008 graduate of Panther Valley who explained how the JROTC helped shape his life.

Haggard said, “I came from a broken home in Summit Hill. I was in foster care separated from my siblings, never knew my biological father. My stepfather died (when I was) 10 and mother died (when I was) 17.”

“However,” he continued, “despite being dealt a bad hand, I had two institutions prominent throughout my life that helped me avoid going down the wrong path; the military and the church. They both instilled values and beliefs that provided me with the perfect environment to build character and resilience.”

Haggard praised his JROTC leaders and told the gathering, “I accepted the JROTC motto as my own because I felt it would give me a chance at a better life given all the risk factors. I wanted to show the world that I could be successful despite being expected to fail.”

He especially gave praise for his guidance to his grandfather, who was a military veteran who served in Vietnam, and LTC Richard Boston, who was in charge of the JROTC program when he was involved.

“I’ve called my grandfather and LTC Boston every year for Veterans Day since graduating in 2008.”

“They’re both men I look up to and can never thank them enough for being the example I needed in high school at such a young, impressionable age,” he said.

Army Capt. Jonathan Liggitt, a 2007 graduate of PVHS, said he spent four years in the JROTC program.

He then went to Niagara University in New York state and participated in the Army ROTC program. He then did Army active duty for eight years.

Liggett said the JROTC is “one of the few things that allow adolescents to give back and take pride in their community. In essence, it allows them to do the same for their country.”

Retired Maj. Gerald New, the school adviser to the JROTC, was in charge of the program.

Day said Panther Valley’s JROTC is one of the original six programs in the United States.

The only JROTC program in the state that has been in existence longer than Panther Valley’s is Seneca Valley High School’s.

He calculated that the program “has affected 40,000 students to go on to become future leaders.”“Some still live here and still give back,” he said.

The main speaker was retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey of Palmerton, who has served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions stateside and overseas.

He earned the Bronze Star with Valor for his leadership during the 4th Infantry Division’s two-month “Battle for Sadr City” in Iraq in 2008.

Dailey, a 1990 graduate of Palmerton Area High School, has held every enlisted leadership position in the infantry.

Dailey spoke about leadership and about the importance of the JROTC program.

Officers of the JROTC program said they were pleased with the turnout and enjoyed the program.

“I think it’s a great event overall,” Byers said.

“Everybody’s enjoying themselves. It’s an awesome event.”

Cadet Capt. Alexis Cooper agreed. She said, “It’s just nice seeing everyone come together again in a professional manner.”

Cadet Maj. Noah Hess said that “the people you meet here aren’t just fellow cadets. They become your friends and your family.”