10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 15-21, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 On an early sunny May morning, about a dozen U.S. Army soldiers in camo gear are assembled at the top of the hill inside Monterey’s Lower Presidio Park, joined by two Army veterans, two Army spouses, a baby in a backpack carrier and a large, furry black dog. They are the next marchers in a five-mile leg for what was the largest public commemoration in the country of the Army’s 250th anniversary, a 250-mile ruck march from Camp Roberts at the border of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties to the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area in Dublin in the East Bay. The march departed Camp Roberts on Wednesday, May 7, and arrived at the gathering spot in the park in Monterey precisely at 8:30am on Friday, May 9, on the move 24 hours a day. More groups of marchers continued for another two days through Sunday, May 11. Ruck marches are traditionally used to test soldiers’ endurance, marching for long distances with a rucksack, or backpack, filled with gear. As Army installation leaders in the region were contemplating how to commemorate the Army’s semiquincentennial, organizers at Fort Hunter Liggett, in South Monterey County, hit upon the idea of recruiting soldiers and veterans to march between installations, including members of the National Guard and National Reserve, says First Sgt. Brandon Quinones, who was in charge of coordinating the historic event over the past three months. Planning the march using Google Maps, Quinones counted up the miles through the five counties. To his surprise, it was 250 miles. “That was the sign right there we were going to move forward with this,” he says. More kismet: the five-mile legs added up perfectly to 50, representing the 50 states. Quinones drove the route, and was struck by the contributions of each installation, and the unique characteristics of the landscape. “It was a good way to showcase the Army and showcase California,” he says of the march. On each five-mile leg the participants carried the Army flag and a flag marking the 250th anniversary, as well as a binder with the names of every soldier killed in action over the last 75 years. When they got to their next checkpoint, the colors and binder were handed off to the next group. (Quinones placed an airtag inside the binder to keep tabs where groups were during the march.) At first marchers were only going to be from the Army, National Guard and Reserves, but organizers opened it up to anyone who wanted to join, including all branches of the military. Some legs had more participants than others, with the less popular time slots and routes having just two soldiers. Some marchers signed up for multiple legs. On May 9, as the 16 marchers of Leg 26 waited for Leg 25 to arrive in Monterey, a brief ceremony began at 8:15am, with approximately 20 supporters, mostly from the Presidio. The Army was formed on June 14, 1775, making the forces a year older than the Declaration of Independence and 13 years older than the U.S. Constitution, Shawn Marshall, the Presidio’s director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, told them. Then, in classic military precision, 13 marchers of Leg 25 ascended the trail in Lower Presidio Park at 8:30am, as had been planned. Col. Stephen S. Trotter, commander of Fort Hunter Liggett, was greeted by Presidio commander Col. Daniel Artino, the flags were handed off between soldiers, as was the binder, treated like precious cargo. “This 250th birthday is not just a celebration, it is a recommitment,” Artino told the crowd before he departed for the next leg. “A recommitment to our Army values, a recommitment to our shared mission and a recommitment to each other. So today as we transfer the Army colors between our commands, may it remind us of the strength we share, the unity we foster and the history we carry forward.” The marchers slung their rucksacks on their backs and headed down the hill to Pacific Avenue, a Monterey Fire Department pickup truck leading the way through the streets. Commuters waited as the marchers crossed Pacific to Scott Street. They marched over to the Rec Trail and carried forward. March of History To mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, soldiers and their supporters march 250 miles. By Pam Marino The U.S. Army’s ruck march made its way down the Rec Trail in Monterey on Friday, May 9 on one portion of a five-day, 250-mile journey from Camp Roberts to Dublin. Everyone was welcome to join service members and veterans on their trek. “This is not just a celebration, it is a recommitment.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Join us for an informative update from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. From the bottom of the ocean to the stars and a new generator too! Find out what's new with FNMOC. resented by the City of Monterey, the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance, and the Monterey eninsula Chamber of Commerce. GET TICKETS! PRESENTED BY FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM FERRANTE’S AT MONTEREY MARRIOTT TICKETS: $45 • INCLUDES BREAKFAST Join us for an informative panel discussion on AgTech: What Do Opportunities Look Like and Can Monterey County Be A Leader? Panelists include: Monterey County Farm Bureau: Norm Groot (Moderator); Monterey County Supervisor: Chris Lopez; Stout Technology: Ryan Mazzuca; The VINE at UCANR: Gabe Yountsey; Western Growers Association: Walt Duflock
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