09-15-11 Naval Sea Cadets Honored at City Council Meeting

Seventeen proud Naval Sea Cadets and their Commanding Officer, LTJG Eric Farland, attended the September 12th McDonough City Council meeting to be honored by Mayor Billy Copeland and Council with a Proclamation that was read aloud by Mayor Copeland.

In the Proclamation, the Mayor recognized the month of September’s national designation as “United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Month.” The Mayor then proclaimed the month of September, 2011, to be NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS MONTH in the City of McDonough to support and recognize the contributions of this program.

Mayor Copeland presented the Proclamation to LTJG Farland who accepted on behalf of the 1124th Construction Battalion United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Since 1958, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and alcohol free environment in which to develop their leadership abilities, broaden their horizons through hands-on training, and guide them towards becoming mature young adults.

The United States Sea Cadet Corps 1124th Construction Battalion started 7 years ago in Griffin under the Command of LTJG William Dempsey. Ensign Eric Farland was the Training/Operations Officer at that time.

In August, 2010, the Battalion moved to McDonough with 9 Cadets, and in January, 2011, LTJG Eric Farland assumed Command of the unit. As of August, 2011, there are 42 Cadets in this Corps ranging in ages 11 to 17.

This unit currently has one Cadet in the Navy Seal program, another is at the Naval Academy, and one has joined the Marines.

The Council took time, during the meeting, to personally congratulate these young cadets on their commitment to service and discipline as they grow into strong young men and women.

Mayor Billy Copeland (Left) is pictured with LTJG Eric Farland (Second from Left)
and members of the 1124th Construction Battalion United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
following the presentation of the Proclamation during the September 12th City Council meeting.
On the back row are Council members (L-R) Rufus Amis, Monta Brown, Rufus Stewart, Sandra Vincent and Gail Notti.