Libertyville’s NSDAR chapter awards its Outstanding Cadet Medal
On May 4, the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Vice Regent Peg Pracht and National Defense Chairwomen Nataile Hilberg presented and awarded a DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal, campaign bar and a certificate signed by NSDAR President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright.
The women were invited to attend the graduation ceremony at Navy Talent Acquisition Group at Great Lakes.
DAR Outstanding Cadet Medals are awarded to student cadets who distinguish themselves through leadership, honor, courage, service and patriotism in non-ROTC, military-affiliated cadet programs funded by schools or privately, including, but not limited to Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Civil Air Patrol.
The Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter awarded the medal to U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Eugene Burkut from the Sea Cadet Nine One One Division at Great Lakes. PO3 Burkut is a ninth grader at Wheeling High School and has been in the Nine One One Division since 2019.
The cadet was nominated by Brian Proa, the public affairs officer at the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Nine One One division at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes.
“PO3 Cadet Burkut was one of the best amongst his peers," Proa wrote. “He was the league programs Leading Ship Petty Officer and crossed over to sea cadets where due to his longevity in the program he flawlessly took on a leadership role where he was the co-lead for Indoc. Indoc is where all new cadets spend three months learning to be a cadet before attending advanced training and earning their uniforms”
Eugene is a ninth grader at Wheeling High School where he is in the band and robotics team and his favorite is Wrestling.
“Burkut has a competitive spirit and is always willing to lend a hand," Proa said. "He is a member of our Color Guard and performs many hours of community service. He is also a sharpshooter on the Scholastic Action Shooting Program, Trident Origins Division team where he competes regionally.”
The Sea Cadets Nine One One Division was founded in 1959 at the Great Lakes Naval Station. They offer a leadership and development program for children ages 10 and older.
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corp is a youth volunteer leadership program that builds strong character and is supported by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Ansel Brainerd Cook chapter in Libertyville is celebrating its 47th year. Organized in 1977 by 17 members, it has now grown to include more than 185 members. In 2023, the ABC chapter members logged in over 7,000 volunteer hours in the towns in which they work and live.
To learn more about the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, NSDAR, email ABC4DAR@gmail.com
To learn more about the Sea Cadets Nine One One Division, visit seacadets911.org.