Major Mikesell’s Revelation Tribute

The 2002 National High School Drill Team Championships
Daytona Beach, Florida
As Presented at The Awards Ceremony

Justin Gates – SNI Vice President/ NHSDTC Competition Director :
" We had the pleasure of hosting over 850 different individual JROTC programs here at The Nationals for our history. But in the twenty years history of this event few instructors have ever gotten the opportunity to make a mark that will never be forgotten, and most likely, never be repeated. At this time I would ask Major Greg Mikesell to please come to the podium.


His leadership is legendary. His accomplishments are unparallel. He has raised the program from relative obscurity to a national recognized powerhouse program. I value his opinions and even more I value his friendship. And after this school year he will be stepping down as the Senior Army Instructor at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas after sixteen years. Major, we at Sports Network would like to present you with crystal eagle, symbolizing the relentless pursue of perfection. You are inspiration to all of us that have been here before, and all that will come to follow. Thank you sir. "
Major Mikesell (U.S. Army Retired) – Black Watch Originator and Coach :
" Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen and all the officials here at Sports Network International, especially to Samantha and Justin who have I developed a friendship back in 1989 with Samantha’s father Kip. As a matter of fact my son who was the Black Watch Commander first spoke with him on the phone and said, “ dad, I think you are going to get a phone call in a few days”, and he called back, and that was in 89 he invited us. But I did not think we were ready yet, and I thought we were finally ready in 94, and that is when we came and two years later we were blessed enough to win the national championship for the first time.


But none of this ladies and gentlemen would be possible without learning a lot from many of you out here. Also, it would not be possible without these fine young ladies and gentlemen that we call cadets. As great as we are, as great as we think we are as coaches, if we had an empty drill pad we would be nothing. The fact of the matter is that each young ladies and gentlemen is accompanied by the greatest corps of mothers and fathers who helped me immensely  on every trip I made to nationals. I thank not only them, but I thank all of the mothers and fathers that are here tonight, and God bless you again, and I will see you again. Thank you so very much."
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