Hope High School

HOPE – Two local military veterans have been recognized in conjunction with a project of the Hope High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as HHS Bobcat Honorary Sports Captains.\r\n

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HHS AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Hart said 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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Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James R. Jones, of Hope, was accorded the honor at the home football opener Aug. 31 through the sponsorship of Main Street Cleaners, Lt. Col. Hart said.\r\n

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“Sergeant Jones is a 1975 graduate of Hope High School and a veteran of the U. S. Army, where he served for 22 years from 1976 until 1997,” LTC Hart said. “He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm where he served with the 11^th Armored Cavalry Regiment.”\r\n

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Honored at the Sept. 7 home football game was First Sergeant (Ret.) Leon Prince, who was sponsored by the 189^th Airlift Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard Chiefs’ Group.\r\n

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“Sergeant Prince is a veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps serving active duty from June, 1960, until September, 1996,” LTC Hart said. “He served 16 years in the reserves for a total of 20 years of service; and, he is a veteran of both Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.”\r\n

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Each Honorary Sports Captain joins the HHS Bobcat team for opening ceremonies at home field sporting events, including the coin toss at football games, first pitch for baseball and softball, and will be introduced at basketball games and soccer matches, LTC Hart said.\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, he said.\r\n

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“We are proud of the service and thank each of your for being an example of leadership to our community,” LTC Hart said. “We also thank Main Street Cleaners and the 189^th Airlift Wing, Arkansas National Guard Chief’s Group for their support of our AFJROTC and partnership in recognizing our brave men and women who have served with honor.”\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