Service Learning

Cadet Service-Learning 

  Each year the Coyote Battalion conducts a Service-Learning Project.  During School Year 2019-2020 the Cadets worked on a project to honor fallen service members.  The project centered around “Operation Gothic Serpent”, commonly referred to as “Black Hawk Down”, that occurred in Somalia October 3-4, 1993. 

  During this mission, Task Force Ranger comprised of 160 US Special Operations Forces conducted an operation to detain key leaders of the Somali National Alliance in order to reduce Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s grip on the war-torn nation.  Fierce fighting broke out as this elite force was surrounded by Habr Gidr militia and thousands of civilians.  While ground forces moved to secure a downed Blackhawk helicopter a second Blackhawk, Super Six Four, piloted by Warrant Officer Michael Durant was also shot down.  Friendly forces were unable to move to the second crash site and the surviving crew.  In an act of selfless service, Delta Operators Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart volunteered to be inserted into the crash site of Super Six Four.  Upon arriving at the site, they aided the crewmembers and established a perimeter to defend their position.  Ultimately their position was overrun by hostile forces, and Warrant Officer Durant was the only survivor at the crash site.  He was captured by the Somali’s and held for 11 days before being released to U.S. forces.  Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions that saved the life of Warrant officer Durant and represented the oath that they and their peers carried into battle that day. 

  In honor of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, a native of Lincoln, Maine, the Coyote Battalion renamed our annual drill competition the “Gary Gordon Invitational”.  At the renaming ceremony Master Sergeant Gordon’s mother and sister were present to unveil a picture and citation that is currently displayed in the JROTC classroom commemorating his sacrifice.  Additionally, cadets are raising funds to contribute towards a memorial that will be erected in Lincoln in his honor.  Thanks to the generosity of Five Guys - Bangor and Old Town Dairy Queen, the Cadets raised $1,500.  Cadets worked on other related class assignments that focused on leadership skills, values, and decision making.