Linden High School, the ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฌ (๐๐๐๐๐๐) ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐, marked a powerful and emotional leadership transition on June 9 as ๐๐๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐จ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ, relieving Cadet Captain Josue Carpio during the programโs ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฒ.
With ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐, Linden NJROTC holds the distinction of being the largest unit of its kind globallyโa reflection of its deeply rooted tradition of excellence, discipline, and student leadership.
But the nightโs most emotional moment came not with the passing of the guide-on flagโbut with a surprise tribute to ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ณ, who is ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐-๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐.๐. ๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ.
As Chief Velez prepared to take center stage after a number of heartwarming tributes, the towering black curtains of the auditorium suddenly parted to reveal ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฌโgraduates from over a decade of NJROTC classes who returned to honor the man who had helped shape their lives. The audience rose in a standing ovation as Velez climbed onto the stage to hug and chat with the tear-eyed former cadets who packed the stageโa powerful display of gratitude and love.
๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Change of Command itself was conducted with the time-honored naval precision that has defined the NJROTC program since its inception. Outgoing Cadet Captain Carpio delivered his farewell remarks and read his official relief letter, formally relinquishing command. Cadet Daniel Quiceno then stepped forward to read his appointment letter, followed by the traditional exchange of command:
โI relieve you,โ said Quiceno.
โI stand relieved,โ replied Carpio.
Commander Boyd Decker, Senior Naval Science Instructor, affirmed the change and offered congratulations. The ceremonial guide-on flag was passed from Carpio to Quiceno, completing the official transition of leadership.
Quiceno addressed the audienceโwhich included cadets, families, school officials, local veterans, and elected leaders such as Superintendent Dr. Atiya Perkins, Board President Dr. Marlene Berghammer, Principal Charles Koonce, and City Council President Michele Yamakaitis.