By Debbie Adams
Cadets in the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps at William Byrd High School commemorated
the 24th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, last week. They created a flag display
in front of the school in memory of those who perished that day, visible to all who entered the
campus, with the words “Never Forget.”
The cadets raised the American flag and the Virginia state flag and saluted as students and
parents were entering the school grounds that day—a solemn and poignant occasion.
Once the flag ceremony was complete, Cadet Alexis Short, Company Commander for the
Roanoke County Corps of Cadets, read the history of 9/11 to the student body via the intercom.
“On September 11, 2001, our nation was forever changed. Nineteen terrorists from the extremist
group Al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes in a coordinated act of war. Two of those
planes were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York
City, a third struck the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the fourth, intended for another target
in our nation’s capital, was brought down in a field in Stony Creek, Pennsylvania, after
courageous passengers and crew fought back.
“That day, 2,977 innocent lives were lost—the largest single-day loss of life from a foreign
attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Their memory, and the heroism shown in the face of
unthinkable tragedy, remain etched in our hearts and in the history of this nation. Thank you for
always remembering.”
Cadet Short asked the students in their individual classrooms to stand for a moment of silence to
“honor the fallen” and then remain standing for the playing of TAPS. Afterwards, students watched a brief video showing how the events of 9/11 unfolded.
located at WBHS
This is one of many activities the cadets are planning for the 2025-26 school year. The Cadet
Corps is planning an especially busy fall season. They were to hike McAfee’s Knob and plant a
flag at the top, on Sept. 13, also in memory of 9/11. A trip to the Oceana Naval Air Show
featuring the Blue Angels is planned for Sept. 20. Cadets will be appearing at home football
games to raise the flag prior to the games. They will join this year’s Homecoming Parade and
special events on Soldier Tribute Night. They will celebrate the Navy’s 250th birthday on October
13 with a cake cutting, compete in drills with programs from other schools, and take up
orienteering training.
The Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) was established at William Byrd during the
2022-2023 school year. While the program is housed at WBHS, it is open to all Roanoke County
Public School students in grades 9-12 from Byrd, Glenvar, Cave Spring, Northside, and Hidden
Valley High Schools. Transportation is provided.
The program has been described as a citizenship development program based on a military
model with a major goal of completing community service projects, which make a positive
impact on the local community.
The program focuses on life skills and leadership and citizenship development. It is not a
military recruitment program; however, it is a good strategy for funding a college education.
Enrollment is also a benefit if a student wishes to join an ROTC program in college or to enter
the military at a higher rank than those not enrolled in such a program. However, there is no
obligation to join the military.
The United States Navy contributes financially to the program, including the purchase of
textbooks, but RCPS provides the majority of the funding.
The program provides structure and discipline for students. The curriculum includes academics,
physical training, and drills. On drill days, cadets are required to dress in uniform. Haircuts are
required for the young men in the program. Females have rules concerning piercings and hair in
buns.
Prior to the NNDCC program, William Byrd led the way in starting an RCPS Air Force JROTC
program at the school.
Approximately 30 students (including all county high schools) have enrolled in the program this
year. Once construction of the Roanoke County Career and Technology Center is complete, the
Navy program may be moving to that location—more central to all RCPS high schools and with
more amenities, such as a rifle range and drill pad.
According to Mark Jones, CTE Supervisor, “Pending approval from the Navy, the NNDCC
program will be moving to the Roanoke County Career and Technology Center (RCCTC). They
will have their own classroom adjacent to the Criminal Justice program, and they will share a
space with Criminal Justice that will hold the Air Rifle Range for NNDCC and a Milo Training System for Criminal Justice. The Milo Range is a visual simulator that uses projectors and
sensors to train students. The drill pad will be primarily used by the NNDCC students, but it may
be utilized by the Criminal Justice students when needed.”
The NNDCC has a new Naval Science Instructor this year–Command Senior Chief
Shawn Wingle. He retired after a 20-year distinguished Navy career. He is originally from
Michigan and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2005.
NNDCC program
Senior Chief Wingle spent over 10 years onboard aircraft carriers and led over 1,000
midshipmen and cadets at the United States Naval Academy and Virginia Military Institute. He
now leads the Roanoke County Corps of Cadets NNDCC program and holds a master’s degree in
organizational leadership from Arizona State University. He has earned various campaign
medals and awards throughout his career and was named the United States Navy’s 2018 Bob
Feller Act of Valor recipient, which recognizes commitment to service and mentorship.
He says he chose to work with county’s NNDCC program after his retirement, “to continue
serving in a capacity that is meaningful to my community and to help develop young men and
women of character at the high school level.”
He and his wife, Jessica, who teaches first grade at Bonsack Elementary, have two children.
