Chester JROTC Ramblings: Edisto Island, South Carolina 4/30/09-5/3/09

On Thursday 30 April, Venture Crew 150 and the CHS AJROTC took a field trip to Edisto Island, South Carolina. We loaded our equipment and departed CHS before 0930. We began the 4 hour drive to Edisto Island. Along the way we visited the The Citidal, The USS Yorktown, and The Cooper River Bridge. The Citidal is South Carolina's Military College. We ran into two former cadets there, Anthony Clark and Lamar Kelsey. We drove across the Cooper River Bridge which is North America's longest Cable Stay Span bridge. It was completed on July 16, 2005 and is 2.5 miles long. We visited the USS Yorktown which is an aircraft carrier that served in World War II. We arrived at our area of operation (AO) and set up our tents. After set up we drove 3/4s of a mile to check out the beach. Edisto Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is an unspoiled area, the only fast food restaurant around was a Subway located across the street from the beach. The closest Burger King, McDonald's or Wendy's is 30 miles away. Fortunately for us and the people of Edisto there is a Piggly Wiggly for grocery shopping. The next day we awoke with the sun, breakfast was prepared by Msg. Boyd and we continued our day. The beach was outstanding, clean, uncrowded westernly winds about 5 miles an hour with the temperature of about 78 degrees. We stayed all day. Unfortunately some of us forgot to put on sun block and we got toasted. We returned to our AO, and Eshannon Evans treated us to burgers and hot dogs on the grill. She did alright. Later that night we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows prior to going to sleep. On Saturday again we arose with the sun and Msg. Boyd treated us to another version of his famous breakfast cuisine(loving called Boyd's Surprise). At approximately 1000 hours we ventured to the Edisto Island Interpertive Center. We learned about the local wildlife, conservation efforts, and the history/culture of the wetlands. We sat on their back porch in rocking chairs and talked about trips past and future adventures. We departed the center around 1300, returned to our AO and departed for the beach after refreshments. That night we had a great campfire. We roasted marshmallows and weenies. Msg. Boyd and the chaperone's were a little tired so they turned in around 2200 hours. After they left the conversation was awesome. I finally told Eshannon what was on my military and civilian mind. I know that she had trouble sleeping comptemplating her destiny as foretold by me. On Sunday we were again up with the sun, tore down our tents, and prepared for departure. All were prepared to depart for home except Eshannon and Akebia who was still asleep in their tent because she tossed and turned all night thinking about me. We arrived back in the big city of Chester around 1400 hours, unloaded, separated and put away our equipment and departed the area. The trip was a fitting end to my 4 year tour of duty with Chester High School Army JROTC. I will leave as XO (Executive Officer) with the rank of Cadet Captain. My future currently resides with the United States Army. The career field possibly is Military Intelligence. I have been the color guard commander and participated in numerous color guard events, participated in 1 Command Inspection, White Water rafted in West Virginia, competed at the 2006 National High School Drill Team Championships in Dayton Beach, Florida, Commanded a Platoon in the Foothills Marine Corp JROTC Drill Competition in Shelby, North Carolina, Negotiated the land navigation course at Tree Tops, Visited the USS North Carolina and North Carolina Aquarium while staying at Fort Fisher, Participated in the 2009 Winterfest in Gatilinburg, Tennessee, Observed the sites in Morganton, North Carolina, and made substantial and memorable contributions to my community and Chester Army JROTC.
Msg. Boyd said that I will be missed. I am Michael L. Thrift.

The Citidal

From left to right Akebia, Jeremy, Eshannon, and Michael in front of Annette