Saint Francis ROTC (Reserved Officers’ Training Corps) cadets wore their uniforms to class on Sept. 11 to remember and honor those who lost their lives on that day in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Saint Francis participates in an Army ROTC program in partnership with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which includes training and leadership labs at IUP.

Master Sergeant Samuel Alter, a Senior Military Science instructor at IUP, said that the purpose of the ROTC students dressing in their uniforms was to commemorate “the fallen, not only in the towers, the Pentagon, or the crash, but also for those service members that went into combat.”

The University’s ROTC unit has been closely connected with IUP’s program since 2009. The primary goal of the program is to prepare college students to become second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. 

The SFU program has tripled in size within the past year, according to Jon Walker, a Military Science Instructor at Saint Francis.

Walker teaches tactics and strategy and makes sure the cadets have a full understanding of what it means to serve your country.

SFU alumna Sarah Davis participated in the ROTC program and is now a nurse for the Army.

“I joined the ROTC program because I wanted to serve my country to help save the men and women who risk their lives every day for our safety,” said Davis.

Davis said the program was a wonderful experience that allowed her to grow into the woman she is today. She said it made her mentally and physically stronger.