Lemoore NJ ROTC unit earns its 22nd straight Distinguished Unit Award

It was also Military Night at Lemoore's football game. Captain Markus J. Gudmundsson, Cmdr. Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, provides the coin toss before the game.

Photo by Bill Burris, PhotographyforKings.com

The official title of the award: Commander Naval Service Training Command, Distinguished Unit Award.

Capt. Harry Zinser, a Navy helicopter pilot who served in the Vietnam War, and who started the program at Lemoore High School more than 22 years ago, gets much of the credit for starting the unit on its road to success, but for the past five years, it’s been Lt. Cmdr. John Wolstenholme and his crew of Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Ray Vigil, and newcomer Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Rick Myers, who can start taking some of the credit.

The unit’s flag, with its 21 previous awards hanging from it, was on full display again Friday night before the school’s varsity football game against San Joaquin Memorial. Lemoore High School Athletic Director Brady Holaday presented the award to the unit before the appreciative crowd.

Brady Holaday congratulates LHS NJ ROTC Commander Aaron Dorfmeier prior to Friday night's football game.

Photo by Bill Burris, PhotographyforKings.com

“We’ve got the largest unit in California,” said Lt. Cmdr. Wolstenholme. “This is just amazing to me, because the unit is an elective, not a requirement.” In other words, LHS students aren’t required to take enroll in an NJROTC class, they want to.

The unit’s commanding officer, Aaron Dorfmeier, was on hand to accept this year’s Unit Commendation Award and proudly accepted it from Holaday prior to the football game.