Caballeros raise flag, honor military on Fourth

This Fourth of July marked the beginning of a new tradition for the Caballeros de Yuma, who presented the 23rd annual Independence Day flag-raising ceremony at the Yuma Armed Forces Park, 291 Gila St., Saturday morning.

The Caballeros had hosted the event at Friendship Tower for the past 22 years.

The outdoor amphitheater, dedicated to the memory of local veterans living and dead, was filled with patriotic citizens who turned out in the early sun-soaked morning to look on as Boy Scouts from Troop 8092 raised the American flag.

The Yuma Territorial Prisonaires sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and were followed by a gun salute by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Yuma Chapter 835.

Col. Mark Werth, commander of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, was this year's speaker.

"If you haven't taken a look at the Stars and Stripes, take a good look at it now. I don’t think when Betsy Ross was stitching the flag together she could have picked a more beautiful national emblem. It is not just a simple flag, there has been thought put into it," said Werth.

"Originally 13 colonies made up this great nation, and 233 years ago they signed the Declaration of Independence and began the fight for our freedom. Today this is the greatest nation, and I truly believe it is because of our nation's support for what this country stands for."

Cpl. Samuel Powers and Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Hollingsworth from MCAS, and Staff Sgt. Trasey Roby and Spc. Shunekia Declouet from Yuma Proving Ground were recognized and awarded by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce at the event.

"Today is our country’s birthday, and the Caballeros have been celebrating it these last 23 years," said Robert Filbey, chairman of the Armed Forces Park Committee.

"We'd like to invite the city and community, too, and start the Fourth off with a real patriotic event. Our military is very much a part of the community, so we ask both the air station and the proving ground to let us know who their soldier or Marine and noncommissioned officer of the year are so the Chamber of Commerce and military affairs committee can recognize them.

"It is important to do this so the community can understand and see there are real people, soldiers and Marines, living here amongst us so they can honor those men and women."

Don Foltz, chairman of the military affairs committee, presented the awards to the four recipients.

"We get to honor some of our most favored Marines and soldiers and recognize their efforts," Foltz said. "It is our our honor to do this every year. Each of these service members was chosen during an annual competition on their respective installations.

"There is a pretty keen competition for the award. These soldiers are the cream of the crop and are selected by their command staff."

Foltz said he was very impressed with the professionalism displayed by the award recipients, many of whom possess several citations and awards given because of their outstanding military service.

"Roby, YPG NCO of the Year, is a pharmacy tech for the YPG pharmacy and has a degree in criminal justice. She wants to pursue a master's degree in business. She has served in Iraq twice and has one child and is married to another service member.

"Declouet, YPG Soldier of the Year, is involved in medical logistics at YPG and has served in Korea. She has many personal decorations and awards. Her ambition is to become a sergeant. She has four children.

"Powers, MCAS Yuma NCO of the Year, is in MACS-1 and is an air traffic control radar tech and maintains the gear that keeps track of the airplanes. 

"For Hollingsworth, MCAS Yuma Marine of the Year, this is his first duty station out of training, and he is an up-and-coming star. He is a real sharp individual."

Werth took the opportunity to praise the award recipients.

"We want to recognize the Marines and soldiers today for doing an outstanding job in their military careers during the last year."

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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.