VaQ-142 trio reenlists at USS arizona Memorial

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NORTHWEST NAVIGATOR | WHIDBEY
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2012 | Page 3
VAQ-142 trio reenlists at USS Arizona Memorial
By Lt.j.g. Jose De Leon
VAQ-142
Nearly 71 years after the
attack on Pearl Harbor,
three Gray Wolves from
Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142) paid
their respects to those who
served before them and
joined their legacy by reenlisting at the historic Arizona Memorial.
On July 3, these Sailors
renewed their oath to support and defend the constitution of the U.S. Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW) Ronaldo Balmores, Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic
(AW) Bruce Parmenter and
Aviation Electronics 1st
Class (AW) Donald Garner
stood with pride as all they
raised their right hands.
“Of all my re-enlistments
this is the most meaningful and traditional, because
U.S. Navy photo
At Oahu, Hawaii, Gray Wolves (from left) Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW) Bruce Parmenter, Senior Chief Aviation Structural
Mechanic (AW) Ronaldo Balmores and Aviation Electronics 1st Class (AW) Donald Garner take their oath of enlistment from Lt. Cmdr.
John Havercroft at the USS Arizona Memorial.
I had the great opportunity to do it in a place that
has so much history and
meaning,” said Balmores.
“It humbles me to be in the
presence of so many memo-
ries. I only wish my family
would have witnessed this
event, especially my children. This would have been
a moment to show my children the true meaning of
service.”
On the morning of Dec.
7, 1941 the USS Arizona (BB39) was bombed
by Japanese forces at approximately 0810. Nearly 1,180 died, and this site
is now one of the most revered and historical sites
in the U.S. Navy. Only a
few Sailors have the opportunity and timing to re-enlist here, and for those who
do it is an incredible honor
and memory.
With an impressive 56
years of combined naval
service, and representing several cultural backgrounds, the commitment
of these outstanding Sailors only reflects how far we
as a nation have come and
the bright future that lies
ahead.