Posted on 06/11/2005 10:06:21 AM PDT by cll
Today I had the honor and privilege of being invited and to attend the University of Puerto Rico Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at the State Capitol.
Five young gentlemen and a lady received their Second Lieutenant bars before a crowd of cheering families, friends, veterans, military officers and NCO's. The lady, 2LT Veronica Baez was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB in Mississippi. An achievement in and of itself. Another newly minted officer will join the Special Operations Command. His bars were pinned by his grandfather, a WWII and Korea veteran of the Infantry, and his older brother, already a Captain in the Regular Air Force. One of the LT's was given a grant to study his master's degree in Electrical Engineering at a mainland university. The other two will serve as Communications Officers, one in Turkey and the other at McGuaire AFB New Jersey.
What makes this small class from a small US territory so special? Because as others like them nationwide, they commenced their studies and volunteered for the ROTC around September 11, 2001. This speaks volumes of their courage and patriotism.
Among the group of attendees was an E-5 U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Bronze Star with V device awardee. He was selected by his younger brother, one of the Communications Officers, to give him his first salute as an officer of the U.S. Air Force. The sharpest military salute I have ever witnessed. Tears rolling down both young mens' cheeks as the elder brother gave his younger a booming "Congratulations, Sir!". The crowd broke into tears and cheers along with them.
Congratulations Class of 2005. The Class of September the 11th. Whether you are ROTC, OCS or the Acadamies, along with your fellow enlisted Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coasties, in the regular forces or the reserve components, you are the newest Greatest Generation and all Americans owe you a debt of gratitude.
±
"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty." 
Toward FREEDOM
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God Bless them all.
cll, what an experience!
thanks for the ping!
"Congratulations Class of 2005. The Class of September the 11th"
*SALUTE*
Throughout basic, AIT and OCS I was trained by quite a few NCO's and officers from Puerto Rico. I could barely understand some of them, but their professionalism and patriotism was unquestioned.
This veteran says; "Thank you Lieutenant, each of you."
Thanks for the ping.
God Bless all our service men and women, wherever they may be and whenever they served or serve.
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