PHASE III

n October 28, 2022, Heroes Day 2022 finally arrived! 

I had a meeting first thing in the morning as planned with the principle, football coach, band leader, cheer leading coach, dance team coach, maintenance team, and school security officer. We went over the timeline and ensured we were all ready.

Later in the day our maintenance team placed traffic cones out according to our plan and Chief Mathias even showed up early with his first ladder truck. A short time later more outside agencies arrived and the stadium’s small inner parking are quickly filled with military, police and fire vehicles. Everything was coming together and so far without any issues.

At approximately 6:00 PM, the gates opened, and the public started to arrive. This was their opportunity to meet with and say thank you personally to our Military, Veterans and First Responders.

At approximately 7:00 PM, I was scheduled to make my remarks about the  purpose of Heroes Night, welcomed our VIPs (Military, Veterans and First Responders). The portable Public Address system that Bear River has did not work, I had to act quickly on my feet and had already met with the football game announcer to make sure if this occurred that he would be able to fill in for me and deliver an introduction and welcome to the event. Always be prepared.

TIMELINE

At approximately 7:05 PM, both football teams took to the field.

At approximately 7:10 PM, all parents who were Active Military, Veterans or First Responders to join their child on the field. This was such a great part of the event; the parents and their children were honored with a standing ovation by the over 2,500 people in attendance.

At approximately 7:15 PM, the U.S. Army Color Guard Marched the National Colors onto Center Field and the National Anthem was played. It was a very patriotic moment to have the U.S. Army Color Guard be there carrying our flag!

Then came another problem, the helicopter was ready to fly in and execute our mission but someone in the residential community across the street from the high school heard the helicopter and was curious and launched a drone. The one thing that was going to cancel the aircraft was the presence of a drone in the area. This was devastating to hear that this could prevent the mission. I acted quickly and while the crowd and the announcer chanted land the drone, I enlisted my fellow scouts and classmates to get onto social media asking for people to tell the person flying the drone to land it. It worked and the person landed the drone and at approximately 7:20 PM, the first helicopter arrives with a Deputy Sheriff deployed below on a hoist. He delivered the game football on the 50 yard line, which a thief immediately attempts to steal. Fortunately, our Police K-9 stops him and delivers the ball to the referee. This was the display that the K-9 unit had prepared. A K-9 police officer in a bite suit stole the game ball and was subsequently tackled to the ground by the K-9 officer. The crowd went wild, and the ball was retrieved and the helicopter took off. It was a hit!

At approximately 7:30 PM, both teams are on the field and ready to start the game. Then the second helicopter arrives with its siren and lights blaring. It circles the field twice at which time it signals two blasts with its air horn and departs. This is the signal to start the game and kick-off!

At approximately 10:45 PM, the game ended. Bear River lost. Ultimately, every one of the 2,500 spectators WON! Heroes Night 2022 was an incredible success! Heroes Night 2022 received numerous compliments: “I never saw anything like that in my life”, “That was the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen!”, “No one has ever done anything that complex in this County ever before!” 

After Action Report: I tried to keep detailed notes from the very start of Heroes Night. This included a record what worked for me, who was helpful, which agencies I contacted, names and phone numbers. I believe this  will help the person(s) who will be conducting Heroes Night in the future. A copy of my After Action Report will be placed in a Heroes Night 2022 folder and placed in the student government files, while I will also keep a copy.

The success of Heroes Night 2022 was the result of several of extraordinary people who helped turn an idea “That had never been done before” into reality.

Principal Chris Roberts, Bear River High School

Superintendent, Dan Friscilla

Chief James Mathias, CALFIRE

CPT Sam Brown, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

Captain Brian Silva

Chief Pilot Deputy Kristopher Ulshoffer, 

Pilot Detective Jeff Martin, 

Reserve Deputy Roger Makishima

SSG Dorisella Flavigny, US Army

Scoutmaster Eric Crabb

Eagle Scout Advisor Fred Skeen

Greg Schultz, Boy Scouts of America