Cedar Cliff JROTC officer to present books to veterans

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Jan. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- A nearly five-month project will culminate on Saturday when Cedar Cliff High School JROTC captain Sean Cameron Clarke visits The Woods at Cedar Run senior community.

    Clarke spent three months interviewing veterans who reside at The Woods at Cedar Run. The 17-year-old gathered vintage photographs. He then wrote biographies and historic accounts documenting the veterans’ experiences. Clarke will present each veteran with a book entitled “Snapshots of a Soldier.”

     A special ceremony and luncheon will begin 10 a.m. on Saturday at The Woods at Cedar Run. Col. Frank Hancock, the instructor of the JROTC at Cedar Cliff High School for 13 years, will be the keynote speaker.

    Clarke’s family and Judith Crocenzi, vice president of the West Shore School Board will be special guests. Fifteen JROTC members will serve the meal.

    “Cameron has dedicated innumerable hours to interviewing the veterans at The Woods to create a living legacy they can pass along to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,” said Julie Seifried, Activities Director of The Woods at Cedar Run. “His interviews have sparked memories that had been dormant for many years. When the residents received the opportunity of having someone listen to their contributions to our country, it gave them such a sense of pride and, more importantly, value.

    “Having this 6-foot-4 young man dressed in his JROTC uniform knock on their door and say, ‘Good afternoon sir, I am here because I want to learn more about what is what like to be a solider during World War II or Vietnam,’ says that someone cares and appreciates them,” Seifried continued.

   Clarke conducted interviews with each of the 32 veterans residing at The Woods, beginning in September. The project was spotlighted during a Veterans Day spaghetti dinner.

    “I started this project because I have a great interest in honoring veterans and I could think of no better way than sharing their stories in their own words,” Clarke said.

     After graduating from Cedar Cliff High, Clarke plans to attend Harrisburg Area Community College with his sights set on earning a law degree at Penn State University. “I plan on becoming a JAG for the Air Force,” Clarke said.