At an awards ceremony on Feb. 25, two local NJROTC cadets received awards from the Kitsap Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). This award is the first Cmdr. William Turnbull Award given in testimony and tribute to the outstanding NJROTC Cadet from both Bremerton High School and South Kitsap High School for 2004.

The recipient from Brem-erton High School is Cadet Cmdr. Eryk Maroon, the son of Ramona and Arthur Maroon of Bremerton. He is currently assigned as the Bremerton NJROTC unit’s Battalion commander where he leads a unit of 200 cadets.

He is a member of the unit’s Armed Drill Team and is the unit’s #1 Color Guard commander. Maroon is also the captain of the NJROTC Orienteering Team and has competed at both the state and national orienteering meets. After attending college, Maroon says he is interested in pursuing a career in the military medical field.

Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Alicia Caldejon was also honored as the recipient of the award from South Kitsap High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Caldejon of Port Orchard. She is the cadet commander in charge of the 120 Wolf Company cadets and is the current Unarmed Drill Team commander and the Color Guard commander. Caldejon has been accepted to Seattle University and has been awarded a scholarship from Army ROTC. Her future career plans include becoming a medical doctor, specializing in pediatric oncology.

Both recipients are shining examples of the members of the local NJROTC units that bring much credit to our community.

The Cmdr. William Turnbull Award was established to honor the memory of an exceptional man. Turnbull retired from the Navy in 1962 after serving 24 years. He saw action in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of World War ll and was a Pearl Harbor survivor. After retirement, Turnbull taught in the Bremerton School District and served as president of the Bremerton Education Association from 1984 to 1988. He was elected to the Bremerton School Board and served from 1988 until 1998. He was also an active member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Military Officers Association where he served as chapter president for three terms. Additionally he was active in the Washington State Council of MOAA Chapters and served in many capacities, including the presidency.