By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Region – Accepting the offer to lead the newly formed U.S. Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Randolph P. Mann agreed to retire from the Marines a few years earlier than planned. He was honored for his 21 years of service at a retirement ceremony held at the school Oct. 3.
Lt. Col. Benjamin Luciano, Mann’s Regimental Executive Officer at Marine Corps Security Force, visited from Virginia for the ceremony. He noted that being in New England felt like “coming home” because he had been stationed in Manchester, N.H.
“This is a great area to grow,” he told the cadets. “And you’re in great hands,” Luciano said of Mann’s training.
Mann addressed the 91 cadets who have enrolled so far in the program.
“Five weeks ago we started, and we made it to here with your dedication and loyalty,” he said.
During the ceremony, Mann was presented a Meritorious Service Medal, an American flag that had flown over the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, and a certificate of appreciation from President Barack Obama.
