Posted on 06/10/2005 3:50:36 AM PDT by advance_copy
ALHAMBRA -- An American flag sent by a soldier in Iraq brought a heartfelt display of patriotism to Marguerita Elementary School on Thursday, as about 1,000 people from the school gathered to honor the military. 1st Sgt. Ron Cabrera, 42, a noncommissioned reserve officer in the Army Reserve National Guard, attended Marguerita, graduated from Alhambra High School then joined the Marines and later the National Guard.
In January, Cabrera's Los Alamitos-based Blackhawk helicopter support unit was deployed to Iraq. Cabrera flew an American flag from the helicopter over Iraq, then donated it to the school. Middle schoolers competed in an essay contest to determine who would be awarded the memento at Thursday's ceremony.
The event took place in front of the red brick K-8 school and spilled over onto the street, which was closed for the occasion. The entire student body, more than 800 children, attended. Teachers, administrators, local dignitaries and even some neighbors stood watching the ceremony, many at times wiping tears from their eyes.
Marie Cabrera of Whittier, the soldier's mother, said after the ceremony that the friends and teachers her son met at Marguerita came at an important time in his life.
In his civilian life, Cabrera is a contract administrator for the federal government. He lives in Cypress with his wife and two children, who were unable to attend the flag ceremony.
The flag was one centerpiece of the event. Another was a speaker phone that seemed to ring on cue after a choir of third-graders led by Toni Bradshaw-Rodriguez, one of Cabrera's former teachers finished a rousing song.
"Hello everybody!' said Cabrera, whose voice from Iraq was amplified through the phone.
The crowd cheered. Cabrera talked to his mother, who told him the whole school was listening.
(Excerpt) Read more at whittierdailynews.com ...
Awesome post. Thanks much!
hmmmmmmmm...
Morning Coop...just wanted to add a suggestion for your ping list. The author's phone number and e-mail are in the article, a practice of many small and medium sized papers. If you liked it, as I did, take a moment to send the author a brief e-mail telling them how much you enjoyed the piece. Over the years, I've developed e-mail relationships with several reporters around the country that way. One told me that 99% of the correspondence they get from the public is negative..complaining about something or other..they LOVE, like all of us.. to get positive feedback..
No, but I've been talking to the Navy Reserves. Up to the age of 39 for prior service, and supposedly they need intel officers.
Excellent point, Ken. I do try to provide positive feedback, but too easily default to human nature mode and only make noise when upset. Thank you.
Let me know when they start taking 50-yr-olds...I'd switch to Navy if I had to...
Will do. But you're gonna have trouble during the Army/Navy football game! :-)
I'd manage, somehow!
I have a young friend lately of the BonHomme Richard who is with the Navy Security Group. His stories are fascinating...and to tell the truth, probably best left to the youngsters.
He finagled a day and a half ashore during the tsunami relief effort and told us things he hopes never to see again. The sailors made a difference, but only to the survivors.
Well, I need 12 more years to retire. Early polling at the office says the odds-on favorite is a court marshal inside of twelve weeks. LOLOL.
Don't make any more road trips in that souped up Mustang, and you won't have to worry about it....
heheheheh
Bumping a wonderful story
Ping
GREAT STORY!! Thanks for the PING!
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