On the Friday before Memorial Day, Marlton resident and U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Rafael Encinas thought he was going to Evans Elementary School to speak with his daughter Lucia’s class.
However, before any barbeques, parades or trips to the beach, a literal hero’s welcome awaited Encinas at the school.
Unbeknownst to Encinas, a crowd consisting of the entire Evan’s student body, armed services support groups Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, the Warriors’ Watch Riders and A Hero’s Welcome, the Evesham Police and Fire departments, elected officials, community members and more had all assembled outside the school.
As Encinas arrived to event, escorted by his own cavalcade of police cars and motorcycles, those at the school cheered, waved flags, played patriotic songs and gave Encinas what they called a welcome celebration befitting a rock star.
“It’s a surprise put together by many people here, and I’ll bring it with me everywhere I go,” Encinas said as he spoke before the crowd. “There are many people that I have served with that are no longer with us, but they’re with God. This is for them.”
Encinas, age 40, is a C-17 aircraft mechanic and is based out of McGuire Air Force Base.
He first began his service career with the U.S. Marines, serving for seven years before serving the U.S. Navy for two years, finally joining the U.S. Air Force where he’s served for the past five years.
Encinas and his wife Angela are raising their five kids, with the family having just moved to Marlton just in January.
Reflecting upon the Memorial Day holiday, Encinas said the day is a remembrance that what he and others like him do comes at a great cost.
“Every time there is a freedom to defend, American lives are lost,” Encinas said. “It’s like the slogan says, freedom is not free. That’s what Memorial Day is all about. It’s to teach our young children and remind the adults that freedom does not come at a small cost. It’s the cost of life. Hopefully, the patriotism lives on and never stops.”
That sentiment was echoed by OYRSJ president and Evans parent Dave Silver, who said school staff always works so students at the school grow into the next generation of grateful Americans and have a true understanding of Memorial Day.
“It’s not a weekend to barbeque. It’s not to go down to the Shore. It’s to memorialize those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep us standing here as free, grateful Americans,” Silver said.
Encinas’ daughter Valentia, age 16, said she thought the event was awesome, and that her father deserved all of it.
“I think it’s awesome,” Valentina said. “His face was like he didn’t know what was going on. I love his reaction. It was great.”
Encinas’ son Favi, age 12, said members of the armed services don’t always get the recognition his father got at Evans, and it was cool to have a dad like his.
“I want to be like him when I’m older,” Favi said. “I’m going to join.”
