By C/CPT Caitlyn Burgos
For Variety
TWENTY-ONE cadets from the SSHS Manta Ray Battalion, along with their instructor, CSM (Ret.) Richard Basa, assisted St. Jude Parish in celebrating its annual fiesta.
The event was held over the weekend — Oct. 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Throughout both days, SSHS’s Sabre Team and Road Guard Detail played key roles in the celebration.
On Saturday, cadets arrived early to help with preparations before Mass began. The Sabre Team organized and carried their sabres as the altar servers and priests made their way to the altar around 5 p.m.
The Sabre Team then marched outside to arrange their sabres before returning inside for Mass once everyone had gathered at the altar.
Later, cadets assisted in carrying the Santa Maria Kamalen and Saint Jude images. At the same time, three pairs of Sabre Team members escorted them, each carrying a sabre, as they walked around Koblerville. After the procession, the cadets returned to the church, where they once again arranged and carried their sabres, standing guard over the images for the remainder of the evening.
On Sunday, the Road Guard Detail ensured safe pedestrian crossings for attendees while wearing brightly colored vests for visibility. Meanwhile, the Sabre Team repeated their role from Saturday, carrying and organizing their sabres as part of the event’s proceedings.
Regardless of the weather, the cadets of SSHS’s Manta Ray Battalion performed an excellent job and expressed pride in their role in supporting St. Jude Parish’s annual fiesta celebration.
