Midway JROTC Honored at District Veterans Day Event
The district's ninth annual Veterans Day ceremony at Midway High School recognized local veterans and the school's national-ranked Marine Corps JROTC program.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Awards
Midway High School hosted the district's ninth annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday morning, led by its Marine Corps JROTC program. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jon Ker served as keynote speaker, and the event honored veterans of all ages and branches.
Why it matters
The ceremony recognized veterans across generations and highlighted a local high school program that was named the No. 1 Marine Corps JROTC program nationally in its school population category. For Waco residents, it offers a visible local tribute to military service.
Midway's Marine Corps JROTC was named the No. 1 program nationally in its school population category, and the school was first named a Naval Honor School for the third consecutive year. The source does not specify the total number of programs ranked or the criteria used for the national ranking.
The players
Jon Ker
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jon Ker served as keynote speaker at the ceremony, drawing on a career of military service.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a national veterans service organization that presented letters of recognition to Midway's JROTC program.
Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League is a nonprofit organization of current and former Marines that presented letters of recognition to Midway's JROTC program.
The details
JROTC cadets led the ceremony, performing the program, band, and color guard, while dozens of veterans attended from the stands. Local VFW and Marine Corps League chapters presented letters of recognition to the JROTC program for its national ranking.
Timeline
Monday, November 9, 2026: District's ninth annual Veterans Day ceremony held at Midway High School.
Third consecutive year: Midway named a Naval Honor School.
Awards
Recognition from the Naval Honor School program, which the U.S. Navy administers, is one of several military-affiliated honors that schools use to mark sustained JROTC performance. Midway's third consecutive designation places it among programs with a continuing record of recognition.
Waco families with students in JROTC or interest in military service can see a local model of program recognition and community veteran engagement. The ceremony gave residents a direct way to honor veterans in their own community.
The takeaway
Local recognition programs like JROTC honors and Naval Honor School designations give students and families concrete ways to engage with military service. Attending community ceremonies is a simple way for residents to thank veterans directly.
Further reading
For more local honors and recognitions, see the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kwtx.
