Kyle Weems

Kyle Weems Wins Junior ROTC Cadet Humanitarian Award

Cadet Kyle Weems distinguished himself as a true humanitarian through relief efforts in the aftermath of a natural disaster. On 25 May 2008, disaster struck the small, peaceful town of Parkersburg, Iowa. A tornado, rated EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, tore the town apart, and shattered the lives of the people of the community. Six people lost their lives, and 70 were injured from the population of just over 1800 people. Cadet Kyle Weems, as a member of the Milan Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and an active cadet of TN-20051, answered the call to service. Knowing they would be hundreds of miles from home, facing no power, no water, and limited comfort facilities, Kyle and his group headed to Parkersburg on 14 June 2008, the soonest they were allowed. What they found was total devastation and destruction beyond their wildest imagination. Kyle immediately went to work. Tapping in on his Junior ROTC leadership and community service training, hel helped organize work parties that cleaned up, hauled off, and started to rebuild lives of those people who no longer had anything. Kyle was a part of the first group that stayed an entire week in austere conditions, and did nothing but give of themselves to others. Kyle helped pass out gift cards (since the local grocery store was no longer there) that the community could use in a neighboring town. He helped erect temporary shelters, cooked meals, ministered to the desolated, and helped rebuild spirit in the community. Cadet Kyle Weems was on summer vacation, awaiting the start of his sophomore year in high school. He didn't have to go, and many of his peers did not go. He went above and beyond the call of community service, and took it to a whole new level. The dedication to community and citizenship upholds his cadet mission, and makes him truly deserving of the Cadet Humanitarian Award.

The Cadet Humanitarian Award is the 3rd highest award atainable as a Junior ROTC Cadet. This award is intended to recognize cadets who provide aid in response to a singular extraordinary event such as a natural disaster or other catastophe that has placed hardship on their fellow citizens.