Color Guard

Eastern Washington University ROTC Color Guard and Cannon Crew Help Support Home Opening Football Game

09/07/2019 by jstafford3

Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program supported the home opening EWU football game today at Roos Field. The Eastern football team was hosting the Lindenwood University Lions from St. Louis. Before the game, Cadets that compose the Color Guard unit presented the national, state, and university colors in front of a packed Roos Field crowd. The national anthem was a little bit extra special this game as it was sung in the Salish language by a local Native-American tribe member.

EWU Army ROTC Color Guard (from left): Kaylie Watters, Michael Beier, Adam Burnside, Sarah Polello, & Melinda Leen

During the game the EWU Army ROTC Cannon Crew had an extremely busy first half firing our iconic pack howitzer after every Eastern touchdown. Our historic pack howitzer first entered service during World War II with the 10th Mountain Division where it saw action against enemy forces during division operations in Italy.

EWU Army ROTC cannon crew in action.

By the beginning of the second quarter Eastern jumped out to a 31-0 lead over Lindenwood. The Lions would battle back to narrow the lead to 34-17 at halftime, but the Eagles would hold on in the second half to win by a score of 59-31. The 8 touchdowns scored by Eastern gave our Canon Crew plenty of practice in preparation for upcoming football games.

Cadet Amayia Roberts fires the EWU ROTC howitzer after a home team touchdown.

Cadet Michael Beier fires the EWU ROTC cannon.

The Color Guard and Cannon Crew teams will next be in action in support of the football team on September 28th when Eastern will be home against North Dakota. We look forward to seeing more of our fans and alumni at the next home game.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

EWU ROTC Supports Football Team During Semifinal Playoff Win Against University of Maine

12/15/2018 by jstafford3

The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Fighting Eagles Battalion was out for the final time this year at Roos Field in support of the football team. The third ranked Eagles were playing the seventh ranked University of Maine Black Bears in the FCS Playoff Semifinal game. This was the first ever meeting between the two teams and it would become a memorable one for the Eagles and one to forget for the Black Bears.

The EWU ROTC Jeep affectionately called “Lil Eag” is ready to move our historic World War II era howitzer to Roos Field.

EWU ROTC first supported the home team by having the Color Guard present our national and state colors during the playing of the National anthem prior to kickoff. As they have done for every home football game this year, the Color Guard with precision and professionalism presented the colors at midfield.

The EWU ROTC Color Guard prepares to present the colors prior to the start of the FCS semifinal playoff game at Roos Field. From left: Cadets Liam Hewey, Michael Beier, Ethan Smart, Christian Goldbach, & Sara Pollelo.

The EWU ROTC Color Guard presents the national and state colors on the 50 yard line at Roos Field.

The EWU ROTC Color Guard marches off of Roos Field after the playing of the National Anthem.

Cannon Crew

After kickoff the Fighting Eagles Cadets then had a busy day supporting the home team with our popular Cannon Crew. The EWU ROTC Cannon Crew has been supporting home football games at Eastern Washington for decades with our historic World War II era 75mm pack howitzer. After every touchdown our Cadets fire the crowd pleasing cannon. The scoring started early after an interception by the EWU defense inside the five yard line led to an easy first quarter touchdown for the Eagles offense.

Cadet Samuel Coutts fires the cannon after a first quarter touchdown.

In what was expected to be a tight game due to the impressive showing Maine had last week defeating #2 ranked Weber State, the Eagles offense scored two more touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 21-0. By halftime the Eagles built up their lead to 28-0 and the party was on at Roos Field.

EWU ROTC Cadet Haley Bent fires the 75mm pack howitzer after a first half touchdown.

In the third quarter the Black Bears would cut the deficit to 35-19, but would get no closer. The Eagles would dominate the rest of the way winning by a final score of 50-19.

Cadet Sara Polello fires the cannon after a second half touchdown.

Way Ahead

On behalf of the EWU ROTC Fighting Eagles Battalion, congratulations to the EWU football team for their impressive playoff victory. With the victory the EWU football team advances to the FCS College Football Championship game that will be played January 5, 2019 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. In the FCS Championship game the Eagles will play the North Dakota State Bison. NDSU is the defending National Champions and have won six of the past seven FCS College Football Championships. The Eagles will no doubt have their hands full in the national championship game, but the resilience and heart they have played with all season shows they have the ability to beat anyone.

Go Color Guard! Go Cannon Crew! Go Eags!

EWU ROTC Supports Football Team’s Second Round Playoff Victory

12/02/2018 by jstafford3

It was a beautiful, but cold day yesterday at Roos Field as the Eastern Washington University (EWU) football team hosted a second round football playoff game against Nicholls State University.

Our EWU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard supported the home team by presenting the colors just before the 2PM kickoff.

Our EWU ROTC Cannon Crew was also on hand to fire our historic pack howitzer after every home team touchdown. Unfortunately the Cannon Crew did not have much to do in the first half as EWU was down 14-3 and Nichols State was getting ready to kick a field goal as time was about to run out before halftime to go up 17-3. Incredibly the kicked was blocked and ran back for an EWU touchdown causing our cannon crew to do a quick crew drill to fire the cannon after the extremely exciting, but unexpected touchdown.

During the second half the sun lowered and with it the temperatures became even colder at Roos Field which is also known as “The Inferno” due to its signature red field. Our EWU ROTC Cadets were ready to heat up the Inferno with some more Cannon Crew action.

During the second half the colder it got, the hotter the EWU football team became as they want on a streak of 39 unanswered points keeping our Cadets very busy.

The Cannon Crew would continue to bring the heat to the home crowd at the Inferno by lighting up the sky and bringing our signature loud boom after each home team touchdown.

Congratulations to the EWU football team for its exciting 42-21 victory over Nicholls State. Our EWU ROTC Cadets look forward to supporting the football team next weekend as it takes on University California-Davis at Roos Field in the third round of the FCS playoffs. Let’s bring more heat to the Inferno next week.

Go Eags!

ROTC Color Guard Presents Colors During EWU Women’s Basketball Game Against Gonzaga

11/12/2018 by jstafford3

Our Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard was looking great again in support of the EWU Women’s Basketball team. The Color Guard presented our nation’s colors before tip off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Reese Court. The EWU Women’s basketball team unfortunately lost in a competitive game by a score of 63-51. Below are pictures of our awesome EWU ROTC Color Guard. Go Color Guard! Go Eags!

The Color Guard waits court side prior to the playing of the National Anthem.

The EWU ROTC Color Guard marches out on to Reese Court to present the colors.

The Color Guard is ready to march out to center court.

Here is a closer look at the Color Guard.

The Color Guard presents the colors during the playing of the National Anthem.

Eastern Washington University Honors Veterans and Cadets During 2018 Military Appreciation Day Game

11/11/2018 by jstafford3

November 10, 2018 was more than just a huge college football showdown between #4 ranked University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) and the #5 ranked Eastern Washington University (EWU), it was also the university’s annual Military Appreciation Day game. As part of the day’s festivities Cadets from the EWU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Fighting Eagles Battalion were invited to the VIP alumni area before the game. The University President Dr. Mary Cullinan met with the Cadets and took pictures with them before they departed to support pre-game activities.

From left: Professor of Military Science, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Dr. Mary Cullinan, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen.

As part of the pre-game activities Cadets, active duty military personnel, and veterans from the local community stretched an oversized American flag across Roos Field. The EWU ROTC Cadets had been practicing all week to execute the pre-game show despite the cold weather that has arrived in Eastern Washington this week. The practice paid off as both the Color Guard and the flag team performed flawlessly during the event.

EWU ROTC Cadets pose for a group photo before executing the pre-game show as part of Military Appreciation Day activities on November 10, 2018 at Eastern Washington University.

EWU ROTC Cadets Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen prepare to conduct Color Guard duties. (Photo from Mr. Jerry Mellick)

Cadet Commanding Officer Haley Bent (center) poses with the EWU Color Guard. (Photo by Mr. Jerry Mellick)

EWU ROTC Cadets prepare to unfurl a large American flag as part of pre-game activities.

EWU ROTC Color Guard prepared to march on to Roos Field. (Photo by Mr. Jerry Mellick)

The EWU ROTC Color Guard and Cadets present flags during the singing of the National Anthem. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

Cadets Samantha Knight, Megan Anderson, Megan Baker, Cheyenne Sweet, and Melinda Leen execute Color Guard duties before the November 10, 2018 home football game. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

Besides conducting pre-game activities, the EWU ROTC battalion also executed its cannon crew duties during the game.

EWU ROTC Cadets pose with the battalion’s historic World War II pack howitzer. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

EWU mascot, Swoop made time to visit with the cannon crew. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

After every home team touchdown the cannon crew fires the cannon much to the jubilation of the home crowd.

Cadet Jazmin Castrejon fires the historic pack howitzer after a touchdown.

At halftime a contracting ceremony was held on the 50-yard line. Cadets Michael Beier and Kylie Crooks recited the Oath of Enlistment given to them by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford, the Professor of Military Science and Department Chair for the EWU ROTC battalion.

Michael Beier (left) and Kylie Crooks (right) take Oath of Enlistment from Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Stafford. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

The first Oath of Enlistment was developed during the Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army. The first Oath of Enlistment under the Constitution was approved by an Act of Congress on September 29, 1789. It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted Soldiers in the United States military.

EWU ROTC Cadets take the Oath of Enlistment at halftime of the EWU Military Appreciation Day game. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

The oath would receive minor modifications during the 1800’s, but the current oath recited by the contracting Cadets has remained unchanged since 1959. The current Oath of Enlistment reads:

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

By contracting the Cadets can now activate scholarship benefits, receive a monthly monetary stipend, attend advanced training, and other opportunities to help them towards their goal of becoming a US Army officer after graduating from EWU.

EWU ROTC Cadets Michael Beier (left) and Kylie Crooks (right) repeat the Oath of Enlistment into the microphone. (Photo by Mr. Rob Riedel)

After the halftime contracting ceremony the Fighting Eagle Cadets would fire the cannon 5 more times after an offensive barrage of touchdowns from the home team.

Newly contracted Cadet, Kylie Crooks fires the historic pack howitzer after a 2nd half touchdown.

The EWU football team would ultimately defeat UC-Davis by a score of 59-17, which capped off a memorable Military Appreciation Day for everyone involved. For anyone wanting to see more pictures from the game, EWU ROTC alumni, Mr. Jerry Mellick has his photos posted at this link.

From all the Cadre at the EWU ROTC battalion we hope everyone has a great Veterans Day weekend.

Go ROTC! Go Eags!

Pictures from EWU ROTC’s Cannon Crew Support to University’s Home Opening Football Game

09/15/2018 by jstafford3

The EWU football team is currently 2-0 and on the road to play Washington State today in Pullman. Hopefully the Eags can pull off another upset on the road against WSU like they did two years ago. However, what that means is that there is another week of no EWU ROTC Cannon Crew support to the team. The Cannon Crew will be in action though next week when EWU plays Cal Poly at home on Sept. 22nd. Until then here are a few pictures to enjoy of Cannon Crew action in support of EWU’s home opening 58-13 victory over Central Washington back on Sept 1st.