Happy Birthday, America!  Let us always remember freedom is never free, and came at a high cost.  On the passing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams spoke the significant words to his wife, Abigail: “I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet through all the gloom I can see rays of light and glory.”

Where would we citizens of the United States of America be today if there had not been those who counted the cost of freedom and willingly paid for it?

However, where will we be tomorrow if men and women of integrity do not come forward today and pay the price to reclaim a dying America?
Happy Fourth of July!  Happy Independence Day forever!  God, please bless America!
                                                                                                            

At Newburgh Free Academy Main, the NFA Air Force JRROTC held its Annual Awards Ceremony, with community and veteran organizations presenting the deserving cadets with medals, certificates and financial scholarships.
Among the Veterans groups were American Legion Posts from the towns of Newburgh and New Windsor, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1161, Catholic War Veterans Joseph R. Farina Memorial Post 386 and the Purple Heart Veterans.
This year, the recipient of the CWV Post 386 Salvatore Foti Memorial Scholarship Award was Cadet Colonel Catherine Garcia, daughter of Ailda Garcia-Milostan.  Cadet Colonel Garcia is a Senior and has been Group Commander and Special Duties Officer, and she is an exceptional leader.  According to  MSgt. Christian Granda, “She led this unit back to what it was before COVID and has helped the Unit recover from the devastation of COVID.  She embodies all the attributes that the CWV award processes and plans to attend college after graduation and pursue becoming an Officer in the Armed Forces.”

 Recently, Master Sergeant Christian Granda suffered a great loss in a home fire that destroyed everything his family possessed.  Granda is a humble member of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, and an instructor and leader of the Newburgh Free Academy Main Air Force Junior ROTC program.

In spite of severe personal trauma, he continued to perform his duties stoically, as though nothing had happened.  MSgt. Granda’s personality and determination to illustrate his belief in duty, honor and country contributed to the NFA’s unit receiving one of the highest honors in the country.  Granda’s cadets demonstrated their ability to adapt and overcome many competitions to provide this recognition.

Recognizing the financial set-back he and his family are experiencing, many organizations have come to their support and aid, with several donations from veterans’ groups such as the Orange County Veterans Services, The Catholic War Veterans Post 386 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1161.  The American Legion Post 1776 of New Windsor held a breakfast on June 17, and a Car Wash on June 18, and collected cash, clothing and other essentials provided by many anonymous individuals.  You may contribute to the gofundme at gofundme.com/f/master-sgt-christian-granda-and-janine-boscarino.   

May you always have an angel at your side.