11/12/2021
Flag Raising Ceremony Speech
B: LTC Jocelyn Magday (PMS)
President Virjee, Chief Jones, Mr. Cook, Mr. Burandt, fellow service-members, veterans, guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to be speaking with you today to acknowledge and recognize the service and sacrifices of our service-members and veterans.
As we all know, Veterans Day is held on November 11 every year to remember the sacrifices of our veterans. Many veterans lost their lives while fighting for our nation’s freedom. Hence, I appreciate events like this that gives us the opportunity to commemorate our nation’s heroes. Veterans Day was originally designated as Armistice Day in honor of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 which signaled the end of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, on June 1st 1954, Congress amended the commemoration by changing the word “Armistice” to “Veterans”. Since then, November 11 officially became the day to honor all American Veterans of all wars.
After World War II and the Korean War, the United States had encountered more conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Somali Civil War, Bosnian War, and the War on Terror. Hence, throughout the decades, we deployed many service members across the globe. These service members come from all walks of life; they are parents, grandparents, siblings, children, friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and I’m proud to say that many from our Titan family have also courageously served in the past and some are still serving our nation.
I would like to start with the members of the Veterans Resource Center. They all have made sacrifices while serving our country. To this day, they devote their time in providing comprehensive services to our military connected students, specifically veterans and dependents of veterans. With that said, I would like to acknowledge Mr. Cameron Cook and his team for the dedication they provide at Cal-State Fullerton in order to empower our military-connected students to reach their fullest potential. As a matter of fact, my daughter Nichola, who is a freshman here at Cal State-Fullerton is a beneficiary of the outstanding service they provide at the Veterans Resource Center.
To Chief Carl Jones, our University Chief of Police who is also a military veteran. Sir, thank you for the two decades of military service you gave to our country.
And to all military veterans, on and off campus, know that the sacrifices you’ve made while in service will always be treasured and honored.
Now I would be remiss if I do not personally acknowledge the dedication, courage, and selflessness of my military cadre and staff. Each one of them epitomizes what a true American hero means. They all have made sacrifices while serving our nation. And if I may, please allow me to share the exceptional contributions they made in support of our oath to support and defend the Constitution of our beloved country. These brave men were called to fight our nation’s war to protect our freedom. They did not volunteer to leave their family behind to deploy overseas. It’s not because of their choice but mainly because they answered our nation’s call to duty. Starting with my XO…MAJ Louis Lee. MAJ Lee has deployed twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. MAJ Tim Wobig has deployed twice in Afghanistan, CPT Diego Barros has deployed three times in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. CPT Justin Nichol has deployed once in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. SFC Jamal Tmatk has deployed once in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. SFC Andres Palos has deployed 5 times in his military career, 4 times in Iraq and once in Afghanistan, SFC DeSantiago has deployed twice in Iraq, SFC Valero has deployed once in Afghanistan. SSG Amaning has deployed twice in Iraq. SSG Mrazek has deployed once in Afghanistan. 1LT Guerra and 1LT Stanfill have also served multiple operations in support of a Geographic Combatant Command mission. Our civilian staff have also bravely and proudly served our country. Mr. Martin Noriega, our Logistics Technician has served in the U.S. Army for over 21 years. His multiple deployments include Somalia, Haiti, and Iraq. Mr. Steve Yach, our Recruiting Operations Officer is currently serving in the Army Reserve while simultaneously fulfilling his role as ROO for our program. Ladies and Gentlemen, combined together, our team has given 200 years of military service to our nation with approximately 30 years of overseas deployments.
Together with my team, we are currently serving the same purpose and mission for the ROTC program. And that is to train, coach, mentor, develop, and produce future military leaders of the United States. These future leaders will perhaps someday lead your sons, daughters, grandchildren, friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers on or off the battlefield. Hence, I would also like to acknowledge our cadets for their dedication and commitment as CSU-Fullerton ROTC cadets. Oh by the way, many of them are also prior service.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the family members of our veterans. They too have sacrificed a lot, especially during the times when their service-members were away from home due to training and deployments.
Finally, to my family, especially to my spouse and my three children. I would like to thank them for the continued support and love they have given me. I have missed many birthdays, anniversary, and important family occasions due to multiple trainings, unaccompanied assignments, and deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in the last 23 years. Yet, we continue to thrive as a family despite our numerous separations whenever duty calls.
Before I end my speech, if I could please ask my fellow service members and veterans who are here today to stand to be acknowledged and recognized.
Fellow service-members and veterans, Thank you again for the immense contributions and sacrifices you have given our nation.
God bless us and our families, God bless Cal State Fullerton and President Virjee for their strong support to our cadets and veterans, God bless our military supporters, God bless our service-members, and God bless America. Thank you.
