Cronin: Three examples of why Poway is a great military town

At the risk of provoking “military appreciation fatigue,” this is a wonderful Poway story that really ought to be told.

Three stories, actually. Each deserves a “Bravo Zulu,” a term to be explained at the end of this column.

Bravo Zulu No. 1 — It was Monday, Feb. 2. Derrick Ford flagged me down in a passageway at Marine Corps Air Station Mirimar to tell me all about his family’s first weekend in Poway. By way of background, we had originally hired Ford about three years ago to be our armorer/weapons custodian. Ford is a U.S. Army “wounded warrior” who lost his left leg as a result of an IED attack in Afghanistan. He is a hard worker and we are lucky to have him on the team. But as he continued to describe the incredibly warm reception he and his family were experiencing, it became readily apparent Poway knew beforehand the Fords were coming to town and was standing by to help.

It seems city leaders had apparently already reached out to the community in hope of mobilizing support and Poway answered that call beyond the wildest of expectations. You can read all about it in Emily Sorensen’s excellent story on www.pomeradonews.com.

The second Bravo Zulu — Wednesday, Feb, 4, Mayor Steve Vaus and all four councilmen joined a packed house at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7907 to celebrate Bob Hylton’s 95th birthday. For those who may not know, Bob is a living legend, a national treasure who just so happens to live in this remarkable city of ours. A feisty, grand old leprechaun of a man, Bob is a veteran of both Pearl Harbor and Normandy Beach. At one point, Bob even skippered a ship operating in the Mediterranean between Africa and Europe. During the festivities, an official Poway City proclamation was presented to Lieutenant Hylton by Councilman Dave Grosch.

My final Bravo Zulu — Contrary to superstition, Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day for MCAS Miramar. For the first time in memory, a Poway mayor paid a visit to the air station, meeting Marines, touring the facilities, and shooting on its ranges. Mayor Vaus even took time to make a side trip to check up on Derrick Ford in his police armory work space. The visit concluded with an extended, mutually informative exchange between he and the air station commanding officer regarding the respective challenges and rewards associated with military installations and civilian communities operating adjacent one another.

In the United States Navy, to extend the “Bravo Zulu” is to express appreciation to another for a job well done. It may be conveyed verbally, in writing, or even via semaphore, but it is always a fine thing to be on the receiving end.

Although I was in the Corps for 30 years, I also had the very good fortune to enjoy a considerable amount of that time “haze gray and underway” and proudly number myself among the salty and trusted “shellbacks” of mighty King Neptune, lord and ruler of the Raging Main. In truth, one of the finest compliments any Marine can ever receive is to be addressed as “shipmate” by a sailor. Accordingly, I think it only appropriate we extend a hearty “Bravo Zulu” to Mayor Vaus and the councilmen for their continued support of Poway’s military community.