AAMU ROTC Cadets and Cadre on Service and the Weight of Freedom

As Alabama A&M University continues its 150th Anniversary Celebration, members of the Bulldog Battalion pause to reflect on the significance of Memorial Day – a day dedicated to honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

The observance, originally known as Decoration Day, was first recognized nationally on May 30, 1868, just seven years after the founding of the University. Today, it remains a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom, observed on the last Monday in May, when Americans visit cemeteries and memorials to pay tribute to fallen service members.

For Lieutenant Colonel Early Howard Jr. – Bulldog Battalion alumnus and newly retired Professor of Military Science – Memorial Day is deeply personal.

“It’s a time of reflection," says Howard. “I think about the sacrifices of those who came before me – those who paved the way for me to serve. It is our duty to honor them with respect and gratitude.”

Howard, a Montgomery, Alabama native, earned his sociology degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Alabama A&M 22 years ago. His journey has taken him through multiple assignments, deployments, and leadership roles, culminating in his return to his alma mater in 2022 to lead the University’s ROTC program.

The Bulldog Battalion, comprising cadets from Alabama A&M, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Athens State University, has commissioned thousands of officers through the years – some of whom gave their lives in service to our country.

“Memorial Day holds profound meaning for the cadre and cadets,” says Howard. “It reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves – a brotherhood and sisterhood of warriors who swore an oath to protect and defend this country.”

For Cadet Miahna Harden, a senior liberal studies major from Tallahassee, Florida, wearing the uniform carries great responsibility.

“I'm the first in my family to serve and I wear this uniform with respect to honor those who came before me,” says Harden. “Their sacrifice is what allows me to stand here today.”

Jacorey James, a junior management major from Monroeville, Alabama, believes Memorial Day should hold greater significance for the younger generations.

“Wearing this uniform makes me feel empowered," he says. “It connects me to a legacy of leadership – those who served before me, those who sacrificed so we could have the freedoms we enjoy today. Memorial Day should be celebrated and emphasized more, especially for young people. Too often, we take freedom for granted, forgetting the many sacrifices made to protect it. Wars have been fought, lives have been lost, and we owe it to those who came before us to recognize the weight of their sacrifice.”

For Henry Daly, a freshman mechanical engineering major at UAH from Costa Mesa, California, Memorial Day has taken on new meaning.

“Growing up, it was just a day off from school, but now that I’m in ROTC, I understand the weight of what it means to serve and sacrifice,” says Daly. “Memorial Day is no longer an abstract concept – it’s real, and it carries a deep sense of responsibility.”

Michelle White, a sophomore nursing major at UAH from Spring Hill, Tennessee, also believes younger generations should be more aware of the significance of the holiday.

“My grandfather served in the Air Force, and his service made me appreciate how much has been sacrificed so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” says White. “With everything happening in the world, we need to be more aware of what we could lose or gain. People sacrificed their lives for this country, and it’s up to us to remember their legacy and protect the freedoms they fought for.”

As the nation honors its fallen heroes this Memorial Day, the cadets and leadership of the Bulldog Battalion stand united in gratitude and remembrance – mindful of the weight of their commitment and the legacy they will one day leave behind.