Air Force sergeant honored at daughter's Marlton school

As tears rolled down his face, a fatigues-clad Rafael Encinas placed his head in his hands and tried to compose himself while surrounded by a few hundred Marlton students decked out in red, white, and blue.

Encinas was Evans Elementary's honoree at this year's Memorial Day celebration, but he said the day was not about him.

"There's many people I served with who are no longer with us. They're with God," Encinas said. "This is for them."

The U.S. Air Force sergeant stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst started the day thinking he'd be speaking to daughter Lucia's third-grade class.

Instead, Rafael Encinas and his family were escorted to school Friday by volunteers from Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, Warriors' Watch Riders, and A Hero's Welcome, which regularly team up for these homecoming events. Encinas was greeted not only by the student body but also by local officials, first responders, veterans, and community members.

Principal Nicholas DiBlasi chose Encinas as this year's honoree after seeking suggestions from parents and faculty of service members who had returned home recently.

Brenda Hecklin, Pennsylvania director of A Hero's Welcome, drove the final car in Encinas' escort. No matter how many homecoming celebrations she's a part of, Hecklin said, "that lump in the throat never goes away."

Since DiBlasi became principal four years ago, Evans Elementary has been holding an event honoring military service the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Fifth-grade teacher Cheryl Naurath said the students looked forward it. "You have to calm them down in the morning," she said with a laugh.

DiBlasi said the school teaches students that Memorial Day is about more than barbecues, the beach, and a day off from school.

"All those things are great, but the concept is to memorialize those who served," he said. "It's important that we focus on young people, that their memories [of Memorial Day] are made by days like this."

After a brief ceremony, service members ate pizza and hoagies in the cafeteria.

Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey president Dave Silver sat with volunteer Sally Stenton, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. She received her "welcome home" four years ago this weekend.

"It's always a very emotional weekend," said Stenton, eyes watering.

On her right arm, she wears a black metal bracelet inscribed with the names of nine people she served with who were killed in Afghanistan.

As Encinas took in the event, he also remembered his friends who never received a homecoming celebration.

During Encinas' six-month deployment to Iraq in 2005, a friend died when sniper fire broke out at their base.

"That hit home to me because he was a dad," Encinas said. "To think his daughters wouldn't have a dad . . ."

Encinas' children have appreciated having their father around since he returned last year from a deployment in Turkey.

"It was really amazing to see my dad honored," said Lucia Encinas, 9, who wore red, white, and blue beads around her neck.

"He deserves it for all that he's done," Valentina Encinas, 16, said.

Lucia and Valentina, along with their brother, Favi, 12, and mother, Angela, came out to honor their father. The family moved to Marlton from California in January.

During Rafael Encinas' 22-year career, he has served in the Air Force, Marines, and Navy.

"When I came into the Marine Corps, I never thought I'd stay this long to see this kind of welcome," he said Friday. "I'll bring it with me wherever I go."