(1)
Color guard cadets from Skyhawk Composite Squadron 47 – Cadet Capt. Noah Chun, Cadet 1st Lt. Nicky Chun, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Justin Johnson, Cadet Staff Sgt. Zach Beecher and Cadet Senior Airman James Fuimaono – are shown on the Petco Park scoreboard as they present the colors for the San Diego Padres’ game against San Francisco.
Photo by Maj. Audrey DiGiantomasso, California Wing
(2)
The Squadron 47 cadets march off the field after presented the colors for the Padres game.
Photo by Maj. Audrey DiGiantomasso, California Wing
(3)
The Qualcomm Stadium scoreboard announces the Squadron 47 color guard – Cadet 2nd Lt. Russell Console, Cadet Chief Master Sgts. Joseph Heo and Jean Pendergrass and Cadet Tech. Sgts. Soo Rim-Choi and Ryan Marsh – as it prepares to present the colors for the San Diego Chargers’ preseason game against the Cowboys.
Photo by Maj. Tony Diaz, California Wing
(4)
The Squadron 47 cadets present the colors before the Chargers game.
Photo by Maj. Tony Diaz, California Wing
Maj. Audrey DiGiantomasso
Public Affairs Officer
Skyhawk Composite Squadron 47
California Wing
CALIFORNIA – Skyhawk Composite Squadron 47 did double duty Aug. 18 when both of San Diego’s major sports teams were in town, with the Padres facing off against National League East rival San Francisco and the Chargers hosting the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL preseason game.
Cadets from Squadron 47 formed separate color guards to present the colors during the national anthem to open both contests.
At Qualcomm Stadium, for the Chargers’ game, the color guard team that placed second in the National Cadet Competition in July – Cadet 2nd Lt. Russell Console, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Heo, Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Jean Pendergrass and Cadet Tech. Sgts. Soo Rim-Choi and Ryan Marsh – presented the colors.
The team arrived two hours early and was able to practice on the field – a challenging task, as the cadets had to dodge football players warming up around them. As game time approached, they formed up in the tunnel and awaited their cue to walk onto the field.
They then marched along the edge to the 50-yard line to the Lightning Bolt logo in the center of the field, where they presented the colors for the sellout crowd of more than 71,000. Once the presentation was complete they were able to relax and join the rest of the fans in watching San Diego down Dallas 28-20.
For the Padres’ game at Petco Park the honors were performed by five former color team members – Cadet Capt Noah Chun, Cadet 1st Lt. Nicky Chun, Cadet Staff Sgt. Zach Beecher, Cadet Tech. Sgt. Justin Johnson and Cadet Senior Airman James Fuimaono.
Having presented the colors twice previously at Padres games this season, the cadets arrived at the ballpark early and met with a Padres representative who reviewed particular considerations that apply when marching on major league infield grass. Some practice time followed, and then it was time to make their way out of the tunnel and along the warning track to the first base coaching box area.
The cadets marched into the infield and positioned themselves between the pitching mound and second base as they presented the colors during the anthem. The team was warmly received by the crowd of nearly 34,000, and afterward was able to stay and watch the game, which the Padres lost 8-7 after a two-run ninth-inning comeback attempt fell short.
