Staff and students assigned to Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Lackland participated in an armed forces parade celebrating World War II veterans at Blue Skies of Texas Senior Living and Care Center June 25.

Each year on the Saturday prior to Fourth of July weekend, Blue Skies hosts the parade for the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. This is NTTC Lackland's fifth consecutive year participating in the parade.

Retired Navy Capt. Hal Lutz, who serves as the Blue Skies Navy liaison said many of this year's parade participants were World War II veterans or their spouses. He expressed he was very appreciative of the younger generation serving in today's military and their eagerness to also participate in the event.

Chief Master-at-Arms Stephen Caezza, from Rochester, New York, also seemed to enjoy the experience.

"It was a great opportunity to participate, and to instill the values of giving back to the community -- especially to our veterans and our junior Sailors," Caezza said.

Before leaving, the students had the opportunity to talk with military veterans about their careers.

"It was a great experience talking to veterans who have served up to sixty years ago," said Seaman Eliot Matias Quintana, a student at Master-at-Arms "A" school, from Aguada, Puerto Rico. "I will forever be in debt to the sacrifices of those having served before me."

Before leaving Blue Skies Senior Living and Care Center, NTTC Lackland staff and students toured memorial art work at the facility and spoke to several veterans living at the center.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world where training breeds confidence.

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