F E A T U R E D
Patriot Tigers Holds San Jacinto High School's First Military Recognition
Last year of 2015, Patriot Tigers came up with the idea of recognizing our military service members who are also teachers and staff of the San Jacinto Unified School District. We felt the public sometimes forgets how much more there are to those who served in the military. While they are off duty or retired, they return to their normal everyday jobs such as being a business owner, baseball coach, painter, janitor, teacher, administrators... the list goes on.
Going into the new school year of 2015-2016, Patriot Tigers made it their year goal to host a recognition ceremony for all of the SJUSD employees who have served in the military. With heavy planning, coordination, team work and trust in each other, Patriot Tigers achieved its first major project: San Jacinto High School's Military Recognition. The event took place on March 18, 2016 at the Golden Era Clubhouse.
On March 18, the majority of the club arrived two hours early before the start time. Patriot Tigers decorated the beautiful building on the inside with red, white and blue streamers hanging across the supporting beams of the ceiling and hung on the wall a brightly painted poster of the American flag with the painted words, "Thank You for Your Service". Meanwhile, the kitchen crew had been in the kitchen for more than three hours after school ended that Friday, busily cooking and preparing food for the guests of honor. The San Jacinto High School ROTC showed up early enough to practice their routine of presenting the colors. Other club members had set up the soda bar and picture boards showcasing our club's three-year efforts in supporting our military. When the opening time was nearing we formed a receiving line consisting of a few club members and the Club President, Cynthia Morris, and one of the club advisers, Michael Luna.
We welcomed the first guest and showed them their way to the dining room and the terrace where drinks and pictures were at. Then, Cynthia Morris began the event, opening the recognition with the pledge of allegiance and the ROTC's presentation of the colors. After, the guests of honor fixed themselves salads and had the option to choose from a variety of condiments and toppings. Patriot Tigers members were very helpful and made sure that the guests were satisfied. When a guest would finish their plate, instinctively, club members were quick to clear their eating space and asked if they wanted refills. Kind and polite acts like that occurred all throughout that evening and impressed those who attended!
The main highlight of the evening was presenting the plaques, hand-made wood-crafted plaques by John Morris, founder of The Patriot Woodworker and father of both Tiffany and Cynthia Morris. These plaques were made of high-quality from black walnut and birch. The engravings were donated by a generous local store called Anady's Trophies and Engravings. Each plaque was personalized with each of the service members' name and branch(es) they served in. This added a personal touch to our token of appreciation they were receiving from Patriot Tigers. Although not many showed up, there were enough awardees who attended to fill up a little more than half of the room. The rest of the plaques were delivered to those who were not able to attend the event.
Dinner was served along with top-notch service, topping the night with a sweet desert. Mr. Albright--who is also our club adviser-- and his family have donated a generous and abundant amount of food and time to make this a possibility. Of course, we can't forget our kitchen crew who were working non-stop!
In the end of it all, Patriot Tigers had a very successful night. We achieved our goal of the year which was to recognize as many known SJUSD employees who sacrificed and served for our country. It took time and effort from each of the Patriot Tigers member and as president of Patriot Tigers, I am extremely prideful of their dedication and leadership they have shown all throughout this year. Our guests left with a full stomach and a reminder that our youth hasn't completely forgotten about our troop's sacrifices and their own service to our nation.
Thank you SJUSD employees, teachers and staff for both your passion of educating students and maintaining our school district's appearance and reputation and for your selfless service!
Going into the new school year of 2015-2016, Patriot Tigers made it their year goal to host a recognition ceremony for all of the SJUSD employees who have served in the military. With heavy planning, coordination, team work and trust in each other, Patriot Tigers achieved its first major project: San Jacinto High School's Military Recognition. The event took place on March 18, 2016 at the Golden Era Clubhouse.
On March 18, the majority of the club arrived two hours early before the start time. Patriot Tigers decorated the beautiful building on the inside with red, white and blue streamers hanging across the supporting beams of the ceiling and hung on the wall a brightly painted poster of the American flag with the painted words, "Thank You for Your Service". Meanwhile, the kitchen crew had been in the kitchen for more than three hours after school ended that Friday, busily cooking and preparing food for the guests of honor. The San Jacinto High School ROTC showed up early enough to practice their routine of presenting the colors. Other club members had set up the soda bar and picture boards showcasing our club's three-year efforts in supporting our military. When the opening time was nearing we formed a receiving line consisting of a few club members and the Club President, Cynthia Morris, and one of the club advisers, Michael Luna.
We welcomed the first guest and showed them their way to the dining room and the terrace where drinks and pictures were at. Then, Cynthia Morris began the event, opening the recognition with the pledge of allegiance and the ROTC's presentation of the colors. After, the guests of honor fixed themselves salads and had the option to choose from a variety of condiments and toppings. Patriot Tigers members were very helpful and made sure that the guests were satisfied. When a guest would finish their plate, instinctively, club members were quick to clear their eating space and asked if they wanted refills. Kind and polite acts like that occurred all throughout that evening and impressed those who attended!
The main highlight of the evening was presenting the plaques, hand-made wood-crafted plaques by John Morris, founder of The Patriot Woodworker and father of both Tiffany and Cynthia Morris. These plaques were made of high-quality from black walnut and birch. The engravings were donated by a generous local store called Anady's Trophies and Engravings. Each plaque was personalized with each of the service members' name and branch(es) they served in. This added a personal touch to our token of appreciation they were receiving from Patriot Tigers. Although not many showed up, there were enough awardees who attended to fill up a little more than half of the room. The rest of the plaques were delivered to those who were not able to attend the event.
Dinner was served along with top-notch service, topping the night with a sweet desert. Mr. Albright--who is also our club adviser-- and his family have donated a generous and abundant amount of food and time to make this a possibility. Of course, we can't forget our kitchen crew who were working non-stop!
In the end of it all, Patriot Tigers had a very successful night. We achieved our goal of the year which was to recognize as many known SJUSD employees who sacrificed and served for our country. It took time and effort from each of the Patriot Tigers member and as president of Patriot Tigers, I am extremely prideful of their dedication and leadership they have shown all throughout this year. Our guests left with a full stomach and a reminder that our youth hasn't completely forgotten about our troop's sacrifices and their own service to our nation.
Thank you SJUSD employees, teachers and staff for both your passion of educating students and maintaining our school district's appearance and reputation and for your selfless service!
Volunteer Day for Army Sergeant Nicholas Mendes
The Patriot Tigers club drove out to help out wounded veteran, Army Sergeant Nicholas Mendes. All of the Patriot Tigers club enjoyed their volunteer day in Murrieta as they helped the Homes for Our Troops organization. The club left San Jacinto early in the morning to drive to Murrieta and help as much as possible for Nicholas Mendes's new home. It was April 30th, 2011 when Army Sergeant Nicholas Mendes returned from his service in Iraq in 2008 and was on his second deployment in Sangsar, Afghanistan. He was on his duty of being a gunner with the 10th Mountain 3rd Brigade. On that day, an IED was placed beneath his vehicle and was set off by a 1200-pound command wire device. The explosion caused Nicholas Mendes a severe injury, affecting his vertebrae from multiple fractures. From that day on, he was paralyzed from the neck down. After a month of partial recovery from Walter Reed, he was sent to the VA Center in Long Beach, Calif., soon starting his rest of his recovery and therapy. He was then released out of the hospital in October 2011. His new home will help both his wife and himself greatly. Their struggles with their current home is very exhausting and frustrating. As Nicholas said, "Entering and leaving the home is always a challenge, so having widened doorways will be great as well as the automatic doors so I can enter and exit on my own," (Homes for Our Troops) this shows their everyday challenges.
The Patriot Tigers club is very proud to help with Army Sergeant Nicholas Mendes' new home. After the club helped landscape we all recognized the service we gave back to Nicholas Mendes.
We thank you for your sacrifices!
The Patriot Tigers club is very proud to help with Army Sergeant Nicholas Mendes' new home. After the club helped landscape we all recognized the service we gave back to Nicholas Mendes.
We thank you for your sacrifices!
Patriot Tigers Participate in Homes for Our Troops Volunteer Day
The Patriot Tigers Club worked hard for Army Specialist Jose Martinez. This is the second stage of the Homes for Our Troops project is Volunteer Day, a day where community volunteers come together and landscape for Martinez's home. Patriot Tigers was not able to go to the Community Kickoff for Martinez, but we promised to make it to Volunteer Day. Jose Martinez was extremely thankful for everyone coming to Apple Valley--which was about an hour and a half away from San Jacinto. According to members of Patriot Tigers, Volunteer Day is a fun day for everyone who participates.
On March 3, 2012, Army Specialist Jose Martinez was on a foot patrol with members of the 2/3 Infantry Division on in Kandahar, Afghanistan. While attempting to aid a Soldier seriously injured in a blast, he stepped on another improvised explosive device (IED). The subsequent explosion resulted in the loss of both legs, his right arm and partial amputation of his left hand. SPC Martinez remained conscious throughout the ordeal while his teammates worked heroically to save his life, readying him for airlift to the hospital. SPC Martinez endured dozens of invasive surgeries and months of aggressive therapies in the months that followed his injury. The most frustrating aspect of his recovery, he says, was the recurring infections that seem to set in just as he was making strides in learning to walk on prosthetics. (Homes for Our Troops)
Patriot Tigers feel they have accomplished something great and for a great cause. We arrived at his property, seeing mounds of rocks and sods and at least a hundred plants and trees that need to be planted. After shoveling and raking hard, getting muddy and dusty, we looked at the finishing product and saw what we all had achieved. This was all for Jose Martinez. We told him how much we appreciated all he has done for this great nation; although he said thank you, he still showed how grateful he was to have us come down there which was a sign of selflessness. The trait of selflessness has become a characteristic attribute prevalent in many of the Homes for Our Troops beneficiaries and in many military servicemen and women.
We all owe you a huge one Specialist Jose Martinez!
On March 3, 2012, Army Specialist Jose Martinez was on a foot patrol with members of the 2/3 Infantry Division on in Kandahar, Afghanistan. While attempting to aid a Soldier seriously injured in a blast, he stepped on another improvised explosive device (IED). The subsequent explosion resulted in the loss of both legs, his right arm and partial amputation of his left hand. SPC Martinez remained conscious throughout the ordeal while his teammates worked heroically to save his life, readying him for airlift to the hospital. SPC Martinez endured dozens of invasive surgeries and months of aggressive therapies in the months that followed his injury. The most frustrating aspect of his recovery, he says, was the recurring infections that seem to set in just as he was making strides in learning to walk on prosthetics. (Homes for Our Troops)
Patriot Tigers feel they have accomplished something great and for a great cause. We arrived at his property, seeing mounds of rocks and sods and at least a hundred plants and trees that need to be planted. After shoveling and raking hard, getting muddy and dusty, we looked at the finishing product and saw what we all had achieved. This was all for Jose Martinez. We told him how much we appreciated all he has done for this great nation; although he said thank you, he still showed how grateful he was to have us come down there which was a sign of selflessness. The trait of selflessness has become a characteristic attribute prevalent in many of the Homes for Our Troops beneficiaries and in many military servicemen and women.
We all owe you a huge one Specialist Jose Martinez!
Patriot Tigers Support A Local Wounded Marine
Patriot TIgers drove to Escondido, Valley Center to provide moral and patriotic support to a fellow American who sacrificed for his country. Marine Sergeant Toran Gaal has no recollection of the incident that occurred on June 26, 2011, when an improvised explosive device (IED) blasted beneath him, resulting in the loss of both legs and a severe brain injury. Sgt Gaal was serving with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Sangin, Afghanistan, and was on his third deployment. Ironically, just the evening prior to the explosion, Sgt Gaal had announced to his unit that he was reenlisting. (Home for Our Troops)
The Community Kickoff or the Groundbreaking is the first stage of every project that Homes for Our Troops coordinates for the military beneficiary. Patriot Tigers took the initiative to participate and support a great cause by simply going to Gaal's community kickoff, getting ready to move on to the next stage of the project: Volunteer Day, which is dirty and sweaty landscaping work for his new home, mortgage-free and perfectly adaptable to his disabilities. Each club member who went shook hands and expressed their appreciation for the service he gave to our nation. Toran Gaal is the type of person to never give up, regardless of the obstacles life throws at him. During the speech section of the kickoff, Gaal's friends and families marveled at how Gaal all of a sudden decided to cycle across the United States after he fully recovered. Gaal is determined, selfless, conscientious, honorable, and a hero.
He is also a motivational speaker and speaks at schools and other special events. After meeting him, he gave us his business card and offered to come to our school to talk to students about his being able to overcome physical and mental obstacles and still strive for personal improvement. We thought this was a great idea and decided that this will be Patriot Tiger's next project.
Thank you for your sacrifices and you service Toran Gaal, we look forward to seeing you again!
The Community Kickoff or the Groundbreaking is the first stage of every project that Homes for Our Troops coordinates for the military beneficiary. Patriot Tigers took the initiative to participate and support a great cause by simply going to Gaal's community kickoff, getting ready to move on to the next stage of the project: Volunteer Day, which is dirty and sweaty landscaping work for his new home, mortgage-free and perfectly adaptable to his disabilities. Each club member who went shook hands and expressed their appreciation for the service he gave to our nation. Toran Gaal is the type of person to never give up, regardless of the obstacles life throws at him. During the speech section of the kickoff, Gaal's friends and families marveled at how Gaal all of a sudden decided to cycle across the United States after he fully recovered. Gaal is determined, selfless, conscientious, honorable, and a hero.
He is also a motivational speaker and speaks at schools and other special events. After meeting him, he gave us his business card and offered to come to our school to talk to students about his being able to overcome physical and mental obstacles and still strive for personal improvement. We thought this was a great idea and decided that this will be Patriot Tiger's next project.
Thank you for your sacrifices and you service Toran Gaal, we look forward to seeing you again!
San Jacinto High School's First Holiday Festival... SUCCESS!
The San Jacinto High School ASB coordinated the first Holiday Light Festival. Original plans were having lights and other decorations adorn the school grounds at the quad. Due to the current reconstruction of the quad and the rainy weather, the ASB and other clubs had to move the entire event into the new gym on December 11. This festival was for some holiday fun and gathering of friends and families from within the San Jacinto community.
Clubs came together to help make this event happen, including the one and only, Patriot Tigers. While many clubs sold Christmas ornaments, jewelry, snow cones and painted snowflakes on children's faces, Patriot Tigers made some quick cash by selling the best hot chocolate around San Jacinto. It was a dollar for the hot chocolate by itself, and an extra dollar if you wanted the "deluxe works". The "deluxe works" consisted a variety of sugars such as cinnamon, creamers for added thickness, more sugar, chocolate wafer sticks, candy canes, whip cream and Hershey chocolate shavings . Patriot Tigers attracted many customers and raised over $150 in just three hours.
Club members sweated and worked hard to make all this possible. The money we earned today--including what we have raised in the past few months-- will be used to help pay for our San Jacinto Unified School District's first Military Recognition ceremony hosted by Patriot Tigers. Friday night at the Holiday Light Fest was a joyful time for both local community and club members.
Ultimately, while the holidays are coming, we will remember those who have served and appreciate the men and women in the military who could not spend Christmas with their families and friends. Merry Christmas everyone and God bless America!
Clubs came together to help make this event happen, including the one and only, Patriot Tigers. While many clubs sold Christmas ornaments, jewelry, snow cones and painted snowflakes on children's faces, Patriot Tigers made some quick cash by selling the best hot chocolate around San Jacinto. It was a dollar for the hot chocolate by itself, and an extra dollar if you wanted the "deluxe works". The "deluxe works" consisted a variety of sugars such as cinnamon, creamers for added thickness, more sugar, chocolate wafer sticks, candy canes, whip cream and Hershey chocolate shavings . Patriot Tigers attracted many customers and raised over $150 in just three hours.
Club members sweated and worked hard to make all this possible. The money we earned today--including what we have raised in the past few months-- will be used to help pay for our San Jacinto Unified School District's first Military Recognition ceremony hosted by Patriot Tigers. Friday night at the Holiday Light Fest was a joyful time for both local community and club members.
Ultimately, while the holidays are coming, we will remember those who have served and appreciate the men and women in the military who could not spend Christmas with their families and friends. Merry Christmas everyone and God bless America!
Patriot Tigers Featured in Newspaper
Press Enterprise journalist Diane Rhodes approached club president Cynthia Morris after district wide Student of the Month ceremony asking Cynthia if she may feature Patriot Tigers in the local news paper Press Enterprise. Excited, Cynthia Morris said yes and answered a series of questions regarding the club and her aspirations. After an official interview between a few members of the club-- Jasmin Fregoso, Katia Talamantez, Joseluis Guzman, and Cynthia Morris-- and Diane Rhodes, Mrs. Rhodes gave us information regarding opportunities to help our local veterans. The article was published on October 14, 2015, all thanks to our generous Mrs. Diane Rhodes!
Click here to read the Article!
Click here to read the Article!
Homes for Our Troops ~ Corporal Carlos Torres
Saturday, September 26, 2015, Patriot Tigers rolled out of bed early morning to travel down to El Cajon, where wounded veteran Corporal Carlos Torres would receive the key to his brand new home. Patriot Tigers helped out by handing out American flags to the arriving volunteers and guests and proudly displayed their patriotism and support for our fellow veteran as he arrived to his newly built house.
As the crowd cheered on while he was escorted by the American Legion Riders, Torres seemed to be overwhelmed by the amount of unexpected support he received that morning. After the speeches of appreciation dedicating to Torres' service for our nation, the news media and the rest of the audience walked over to the front of his new home. When the American flag was raised and the yellow ribbon was cut by Torres, everyone was happy and delighted to welcome Carlos Torres in his new home. When the Patriot Tigers met him, each group member shook hands with him and sincerely said, "Thank you for your service." Corporal Carlos Torres, Patriot Tigers and on the behalf of many others in this nation, we thank you for your sacrifice to keep our nation free and protected. |
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Patriot Tigers Will Never Forget ~ 9/11
Fourteen years ago on September 11, 2001, what started off to be a normal day turned into a what seemed like an abyss of sorrow, grief and mourning. Four planes had crashed throughout the day: one in a field of Pennsylvania, one into the Pentagon, and two into the Twin Towers of New York killing 2,996 innocent people in total. Since then, Americans mourn on the national memorial day, known as Patriot Day, in remembrance of our citizens killed by the radical-Islamic terrorists and of our heroes and military servicemen and women fighting for the cause.
On September 11, 2015, San Jacinto High School's Air Force Junior Reserved Officers' Training Corps and Patriot Tigers helped set up an early morning memorial for Patriot Day. Patriot Tigers were in charge with setting up the chairs and decorations. AFJROTC were responsible for the entire event; kudos to high school seniors ROTC Mission Support Victor Tomayo and Unit Commander Connor Bourbeau. The chairs were filled up when the event began at 7:15 AM with members of the American Legion, the high school personnel who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces, members of the SJUSD board and special guests. As the Color Guard presented the colors, the whole school fell silent remembering those who perished fourteen years ago on 9/11. Military servicemen and women and the ROTC saluted the flag while the rest of us placed our right hands over our hearts.
The Color Guard raised the flag at half-staff while the bugler, Joseluis Guzman, playing Taps. ASB President Samantha Bentley and Patriot Tigers President Cynthia Morris presented the beautifully crafted wreath created by the school's FFA next to the flag pole. When the ceremony ended, the SJHS band played the anthems of our United States military branches. Patriot Tigers then helped put chairs away and any other miscellaneous objects. Throughout the day each of us took our time to remember the victims of 9/11 and our American heroes.
We will never forget you.
On September 11, 2015, San Jacinto High School's Air Force Junior Reserved Officers' Training Corps and Patriot Tigers helped set up an early morning memorial for Patriot Day. Patriot Tigers were in charge with setting up the chairs and decorations. AFJROTC were responsible for the entire event; kudos to high school seniors ROTC Mission Support Victor Tomayo and Unit Commander Connor Bourbeau. The chairs were filled up when the event began at 7:15 AM with members of the American Legion, the high school personnel who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces, members of the SJUSD board and special guests. As the Color Guard presented the colors, the whole school fell silent remembering those who perished fourteen years ago on 9/11. Military servicemen and women and the ROTC saluted the flag while the rest of us placed our right hands over our hearts.
The Color Guard raised the flag at half-staff while the bugler, Joseluis Guzman, playing Taps. ASB President Samantha Bentley and Patriot Tigers President Cynthia Morris presented the beautifully crafted wreath created by the school's FFA next to the flag pole. When the ceremony ended, the SJHS band played the anthems of our United States military branches. Patriot Tigers then helped put chairs away and any other miscellaneous objects. Throughout the day each of us took our time to remember the victims of 9/11 and our American heroes.
We will never forget you.
Proudly Served Marine GySgt Brian Meyer
It was Volunteer Day on March 28th, 2014. The Patriot Tigers met early Saturday morning to hitch on over to our fellow serviceman Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brian Meyer in Fallbrook, CA, a participant of the non-profit organization Homes for Our Troops. Our club members quietly arrived to Meyer's newly built home adapted to his physical needs. They grabbed shovels, buckets of mulch, watering cans, rakes, bags of soil and planted trees, along with many other volunteers who helped lay out the beautiful landscape of our Marine veteran's new property. Patriot Tigers and the hundred of volunteers accomplished the mission within 6 hours and all that was left to do was for the Homes for Our Troops to put the finishing touches to GySgt Meyer's house inside.
On April 25, the club went back to Fallbrook for the Key Ceremony, an event that closed of the final ends of the project. As a line of veterans on motorcycles escorted our American hero onto his new property, the crowd cheered him on with deep appreciation. Homes for Our Troops handed the key to his new house and Brian Meyer humbly accepted the key, ineffably speechless. The San Jacinto High School Patriot Tigers had done its duty once again by giving back to our wounded veterans. On a much more personal level, this was for Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brian Meyer. We can only do so much for him and countless of veterans with a big thank you, but it is never and never will be enough to pay them our full gratitude for their sacrifices. Thank you for your service, Brian Meyer. |
"It doesn't take much time out of your day to really participate and help someone else. I usually don't take much time to show my thanks to veterans that give their life for us on the front line. This experience really made me take a step-back and appreciate our veterans and it felt amazing to show my support." |