Vice-Mayor Stephen Shelley got a head start on the city’s forthcoming Military Appreciation Day on May 17 by honoring the men of the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team, otherwise known as the Golden Knights. The two Golden Knight demonstration teams travel the United States, and occasionally overseas, performing for public audiences at venues ranging from relatively small civic events to nationally and internationally televised events.
The team, regularly garrisoned at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, makes its winter home right here in Homestead.
Vice-Mayor Shelley introduced the two representatives of the team during a special presentation at February’s council meeting.
“The City of Homestead and the Air Reserve Base are lucky to have such a qualified and elite group.” At which point, Lieutenant Colonel Jose Enrique and Command Sergeant Major Royce B. Manis took to the podium.
“What we do, in theory is simple,” said Lt. Col. Enrique. “We put the U.S. Army in touch with the American public. We want everyone to understand what a professional soldier is and how proud we are to serve this country. We would like to thank the community of Homestead for making this our winter home. Thanks to you, we can hone our abilities to conduct missions. As a small token of our appreciation we would like to make our own presentation.” The Vice-Mayor was then given a handsome, framed photo of the Golden Knights in action.
In closing, Vice Mayor Shelley said, “As citizens of Homestead, we are all so fortunate to be the home of not just the Golden Knights but of many men and women in uniform and their families. Their loyalty and dedication to mission, in heeding a call that few can answer, is why I salute them today and every day.”
