Lincoln Park High School honors late JROTC instructor Menzies
Lincoln Park High School JROTC students stand at attention with the Sgt. Maj. Garrett Menzies memorial bench.
Lincoln Park High School is honoring the service, leadership and patriotism of late U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Garrett Menzies, the school’s beloved JROTC instructor who died in 2022 after making an impact on generations of Railsplitters.
A new memorial bench outside the high school serves as a reminder of Menzies’ service to his country, students and the entire Railsplitter community.
“Sgt. Maj. Menzies was truly a pillar of strength who made a positive impact on our students, staff and community, and our memorial bench is one small way we can show our gratitude for his service,” said Terry Dangerfield, Lincoln Park Public Schools superintendent.
“He taught consistency, effort and discipline to our Railsplitters and did so with compassion, empathy, a sense of humor and great kindness.”
The memorial bench is located in the Lincoln Park High School Entrance Courtyard and was dedicated at a ceremony in September.
Pillar of the community
Sgt. Maj. Menzies served in the U.S. Army for 27 years in the 507 Airborne Division.
In 1988, after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to his native Detroit to become a JROTC instructor at Chadsey High School and later Lincoln Park High School.
At LPHS, he and his wife, Annie, were a dynamic duo advocating for Lincoln Park students and families. Annie served as an intervention specialist while her husband taught JROTC.
“It is difficult to put into words the impact that Sgt. Maj. Menzies and his wife, Annie, had on the staff and students at LPHS,” said Dan Mercer, the district’s executive director of school improvement.
Representing Lincoln Park ‘in best possible light’
“They filled the hallways with supportive love while also holding everyone accountable. When they were around, you wanted to be your best and represent Lincoln Park in the best possible light.”
“It was truly moving seeing Garrett’s memory honored during this very special event and the commemoration of the memorial bench that will help keep his memory alive in this community he cherished,” Annie Menzies said.
“Both of us took great pride in helping shape the leaders of tomorrow and preparing them for success and bright futures.”
If you have a good-news story idea for SocialHouseNews.com, contact Editor-In-Chief Ed Wright at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
