November 11, 2025 — Inside the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, sunlight spills through tall glass panels, reflecting off polished stone walls etched with words of sacrifice and courage. Rows of flags stand proudly along the balcony railings, their colors glowing beneath soft spotlights. Bronze medals gleam in display cases, and photographs of soldiers – some smiling, some solemn – line the corridors, each telling a story of service and resilience.
Outside, community members gathered for the annual MilVets Veterans Rally. Flags rippled in the crisp November breeze. Veterans in decorated caps stood shoulder to shoulder beside students in sharp blue uniforms, a living bridge between generations of service. At the heart of it all stood the Air Force Junior ROTC OH-871 “Red Tails” from Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, representing Columbus City Schools (CCS) with precision, discipline, and pride.
As the national and state colors were raised high, the Red Tails’ Color Guard moved in perfect unison, every step precise and deliberate. Their voices led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, echoing across the museum plaza as a chorus of gratitude and honor that united everyone present.
“Our Cadets always stand ready to serve our community,” said SMSgt Eduard “Senior” Dedousis, AFJROTC OH-871 Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Fort Hayes Art & Academic High School. “Today was special. It was multigenerational. It was an opportunity to support MilVets’ efforts, salute to those who have served our nation through military service while also recognizing those who will take our place and are already picking up the mantle of service. Our young people were inspired by the sight and stories of veterans' experiences and in turn we were inspired by the Cadets and the hope their example brings for the future.”
Fort Hayes cadets set up and took down the event, helped vendors and veterans, provided Color Guard support performing the presentation of the national and state colors, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Throughout the event, the cadets served quietly yet powerfully, ensuring every detail of the rally reflected the respect due to those who served.
For these young leaders, the day represented service in action. Each cadet understood that honoring veterans means embodying the values those men and women fought to defend: integrity, responsibility, and excellence. Their presence reminded everyone that patriotism isn’t confined to history books; it’s carried forward by the next generation.
The Fort Hayes AFJROTC “Red Tails” unit, established in 1987 by Colonel Wilbur Blount, operates under a guiding mission to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. Led by dedicated instructors and fueled by the motto “Praeterita disce, praesentia servī, futūra finge” meaning study the past, serve in the present and shape the future, the Red Tails embody the spirit of the Tuskegee Airmen whose bravery inspired their name.
Since moving to the historic Fort Hayes campus, the Red Tails have thrived as a premier leadership program open to students across CCS. The Red Tails cadets engage in a diverse range of activities from rocketry and drone piloting to community outreach and mentorship, all grounded in the Air Force core values:
- Integrity First
- Service Before Self
- Excellence in All We Do
In the past year alone, the Red Tails completed more than 3,200 hours of community service across 24 projects, supporting organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, and the Columbus Parks & Recreation Department. So far this school year, the Red Tails have amassed over 2,200 hours. Last year, their impact was recognized nationally when the OH-871 unit earned the Community Service Excellence Award with a Silver Star, placing them among the top 5% of all Air Force JROTC programs worldwide.
“Service before self” is a way of life for these cadets. Whether they’re mentoring elementary students, leading a blood drive, or carrying the nation’s flag in a solemn ceremony, the Red Tails exemplify what it means to lead through service.
“Service matters to everyone,” SMSgt Dedousis said. “To serve others honestly is serving ourselves. It builds resilience in our communities and develops leadership, empathy, and compassion for others.”
The Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the original Red Tails, broke barriers and changed history through courage and excellence. Today, Fort Hayes cadets carry that same spirit forward. With each salute, each pledge, and each act of service, they honor the past while shaping the future.
As the Veterans Day rally came to a close, the cadets stood at attention one final time, eyes forward, and hearts full. Around them, veterans smiled, families applauded, and flags fluttered in the November wind.
From Fort Hayes to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the Air Force Junior ROTC OH-871 “Red Tails” continue to Spit Fire & Carry On: a proud reminder that the values of honor, courage, and service live on through CCS students every day.
