By TR Robertson
The nation honored veterans on Monday with numerous parades and celebrations and Carlsbad’s Army and Navy Academy once again, for the sixteenth time, joined in the celebrations with their presentation of a Veteran’s Day Parade and Review. Hundreds of veterans, family, various service members and invited guests filled the Duffield Sports Complex, and the Brigadier General Stephen M. Bliss Stadium stands to watch the ceremony on the John Maffuci Field. The ceremony was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad with help from San Diego Salute Formation Team, Rotary International, Ohana Creations, and Rayne Water.
Army and Navy Academy announcer C/SGT Nehemiah Brunson Jr. began the ceremony with a short introduction as to the history of Veterans Day and introduced The Rotary Club of Carlsbad President Roy Meenes. Brunson would moderate the events for the ceremony. Meenes welcomed those in attendance and spoke about the importance of recognizing the contributions and sacrifices veterans have made around the world. Meenes then introduced the 16th President of Army and Navy Academy Major General Peggy Combs, U.S. Army (Ret.). Major General Combs also spoke about the importance of remembering the contributions veterans and members of the military have made throughout the history of the United States both in war and peace times. The Major General then introduced the Army and Navy Academy Corps of Cadets March On, led in by the Col. W.C. Atkinson Warrior Band playing a variety of patriotic songs. C/CPT Logan Rogers led the Formation of Corps of Cadets followed by the Presentation of Command led by C/LTC Ethan Shahdadi, Commander of Troops and LTC Curby Scarborough, Director of Leadership and Virtue Development.
Once the Cadets were in their formation those in attendance were led in a medley of Service Songs played by the Col. W.C. Atkinson Warrior Band under the direction of C/SFC Johnny Zhang, Drum Major and Mr. Leland Lugo, Bandmaster. Those in the crowd that had served in one of the branches of the military were encouraged to sing the traditional song of the branch they served in using a handout in the program with the words to the songs for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.
Following this a select group, led by Major General Combs, took part in an Inspection of the Corps of Cadets. This group included Barry Shreiar (Chairman of the Board of Trustees), Roy Meenes (President of The Rotary Club of Carlsbad), LTC Roland Miraco – U.S. Army (Ret.) (Commandant of Cadets ’90), LTC Curby Scarborough – U.S. Army (Ret.) (Director of Leadership & Virtue), Col. George J. Plys – U.S. Army, Mr. Jim Brubaker – U.S. Navy, Mr. Robert Villacres – U.S. coast Guard, r. Raymond Striler – U.S. Army, LTC Eric Kunak – U.S. Army (Ret.) (Senior Army Instructor), CW4 Manuel Ortiz – U.S. Army (Ret.) (LET Instructor), 1SG Jeffery Palacious – U.S. Army (Ret.) (LET Instructor), SSGT Paul Nixon (Middle School Commandant). LTC Raymond J. Stiller, U.S. Army (Ret.) was also the Honorary Commander of Troops for today.
Following the Inspection of the Cadets the Army and Navy Academy Review featured a presentation by the Academy 12-Man Color Guard that included Cadets wearing uniforms from the various service branches, some from WW II and other military operations, carrying the flags from the six service branches. The Warrior Band led the playing the National Anthem including a Fly Over by the San Diego Salute Formation Flying Team.
Next U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Blaine Hedges introduced the Feature Speaker Colonel George J. Plys – U.S. Army. Colonel Plys spoke about the 249 years of sacrifice and service members of the military and veterans have given to ensure peace and security for those living in the United States. He said the honoring of veterans at all times is an important thing for everyone to always remember and congratulated the Army and Navy Academy for taking part in this celebration for the past sixteen years. Colonel Plys is the Brigade Commander of the 8th Brigade, U.S. Army Cadet Command, at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.
Following the speaker was a Presentation of the Wreath for today’s ceremony. The following individuals were introduced to take part in the presentation – Jorge Villacres – U.S. Army, Raymond Striber – U.S. Army, George Sullivan – U.S. Air Force, Jim Brubaker – U.S. Navy, Robert Villacres – U.S. Coast Guard and Dave Dana – U.S. Marine Corps. The audience then stood for the playing of Taps, played by Army and Navy Academy Cadet Staff Sergeant Jian Kang Jr.
The final part of the Veteran’s Day Ceremony was the Pass in Review of the Warrior Battalion in front of the stands, led by the Col. W.C. Atkinson Warrior Band (C/CPT Pay Kim) and the various Company’s of the Academy. They marched in the following order led by the following Cadets – Alpha Company C/CPT Kai Escobedo, Bravo Company C/CPT Ian Wiatrak, Color Guard C/SGM Casey Teemer, Charlie Company C/CPT Brody Koch, Flight Company C/CPT Jim Lui, Echo Company C/CPT Spencer Lott and Stolls Guard C/CPT Zavier Leatherman.
The Carlsbad Army and Navy Academy ceremony for Veteran’s Day was a fitting and well done tribute honoring veterans for their service and contributions throughout the history of the United States.
