Armed Services Awards Ceremony May 13

Students entering the Armed Services after graduating from Lenape Regional High School District will be among those honored at the fourth Annual Armed Services Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 13 at Lenape High School in Medford.

The ceremony recognizes students who are entering the military or military academy, as well as alumni, district employees, and parents of students who are actively serving or who are veterans of the Armed Services.

United States Navy Capt. Kenneth R. Blackmon will deliver the keynote address.

As commanding officer of the NR Expeditionary Strike Group Three, based in San Diego, Calif., Blackmon heads a 32-sailor unit supporting the Fleet Readiness Training Plan. In 2011, he mobilized as a strategic planner in the Theater Plans and Synchronization Element with U.S. Central Command where he worked on the country’s highest priority contingency plan.
Blackmon served as strike warfare officer, electrical officer and navigator/administrative officer on the USS David R Ray. He deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf, including before and during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, and as a part of Operation Desert Storm. Blackmon was commissioned in 1989 while enrolled at George Washington University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. He expects to receive his Master of Science degree in 2014. Blackmon has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Eligible honorees are invited to register at www.lrhsd.org/armed_services_signup and complete the form or contact Ms. Keena Coleman at (609) 268–2000, ext. 5521, or via email at kcoleman@lrhsd.org.