Hope High School

HOPE – A veteran of the U.S. Army unit which is known as the “tip of the spear” for Army combat was recognized as the Hope High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Honorary Sports Captain for the inaugural game of the “Battle of the Bridge” between Hope High School and Texarkana High School.\r\n

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Sergeant First Class J. B. Ross, a seven-year veteran of U.S. Army Special Forces 2^nd Ranger Battalion, participated in the coin toss at mid-field at Hammons Stadium prior to the Hope-Texarkana matchup Oct. 26.\r\n

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SFC Ross served during the Vietnam War, based from Fort Lewis, Washington, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Hart, AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor, said.\r\n

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“We honor our hometown heroes,” LTC Hart said.\r\n

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SFC Ross was sponsored by the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. UAHT Chancellor Chris Thomason awarded SFC Ross the commemorative “Battle of the Bridge” medallion struck especially for the coin toss at the border teams rivalry.\r\n

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The HHS Honorary Sports Captain program is intended to promote recognition of local military service veterans at all Hope High School home sporting events.\r\n

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Previous honorees have included U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James R. Jones, of Hope, and U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant (Ret.) Leon Prince, of Hope, and Airman Alison Jones, of Hope, and Arkansas Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Paul G. Henley, of Hope.\r\n

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The HHS AFJROTC is supported through sponsorships of each Honorary Sports Captain, including monetary donations, or products and services needed by the cadet unit for community service events, Hart said.\r\n

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Honorees may be nominated by anyone in the community, and are chosen from the nominee pool by the cadet unit, he said. Potential sponsors or individuals wishing to make a nomination are requested to contact LTC Hart or MSgt. Leon Mickles through the main office at Hope High School by calling 870-777-3451.\r\n