The St. Charles Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), known as the Fernando de Leyba Chapter, hosted U.S. Air Force Major Centron Felder as speaker at its March 10 meeting. Major Felder is the AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science instructor at Gateway STEM High School.
Major Felder spoke about his background and the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Gateway STEM High School. STEM stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.” Additional AFJROTC Aerospace Science Instructors are MSgt. Gregory Stephan and MSgt. Belinda Paine.
Gateway STEM High School is a regional leader in instructing diverse and well-rounded students on educational pathways of science, technology, engineering and mathematics using a college preparatory curriculum.
The Missouri SAR Society (MOSSAR) awards the SAR JROTC Medals to foster the principle of the “citizen-soldier,” exemplified by the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War. This award is presented by MOSSAR chapters to JROTC Cadets who are selected for their high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing and general excellence.
The recipients are selected by the commanding officer of the JROTC unit, who are given full latitude in making the selection. The SAR JROTC Medals are approved by the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force.
Each cadet chosen at the JROTC unit level will receive the SAR JROTC Bronze Medal. Each MOSSAR chapter may select a JROTC Outstanding Cadet from nominations received from area JROTC units. The chapter will enter their cadet in the state society’s JROTC Outstanding Cadet Program. The winner of the state competition will be entered into the National JROTC Outstanding Cadet Recognition Program.