Union JROTC represents Tulsa, Oklahoma stands out in Presidential Inaugural parade

TULSA - A group of students from Union High School arrived back in Tulsa Tuesday night after marching in the Presidential Inaugural parade Monday.

The 78 students, part of Union's Air Force Junior ROTC program, were the only junior unit in the country to be invited to participate in the parade.

After raising nearly $40,000 and traveling for 24 hours on a bus, they marched in the inaugural parade after President Obama's swearing-in ceremony.

To go from a regular day of training and classes to participating in the once-in-a-lifetime historical parade was for many students a mile-marker in their lives, journalist Amy Slanchik from 2NEWS' Washington bureau learned from the students.

"I'm very honored to do this and be here with my fellow cadets and represent Oklahoma and our school in this way. I think it's definitely something I'll remember for the rest of my life," Chris Arrington said.

The students and their 10 chaperones spent Saturday and Sunday touring the D.C.

"We're going to make -- we're going to be history -- being in the inaugural parade for the president. I'm really looking forward to that," Braden Lyon said before the parade.

"We've worked awful hard to be able to have this opportunity to be able to celebrate the inauguration of a president, no matter who it is and no matter what political aspirations they may have,” said Lt. Col. Ronald McCool. “This is an honor for us.”