Two days after a historically contentious election, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Santa Rosa provided a palate cleanser of sorts.

In addition to the sack lunches handed out at the Veterans Memorial ceremony at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Thursday, the event served up plenty of patriotism — but zero partisanship.

Host Casey Williams said on this day: “We are not Democrats, we are not Republicans. “We are together to honor our veterans.”

Chief among the veterans the crowd of more than 400 gathered to honor and hear was keynote speaker Brett Crozier; A 1988 graduate of Santa Rosa High School, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and later began a 30-year career in the Navy.

First a helicopter pilot and then a fighter pilot, Crozier quickly rose through the Navy hierarchy. He was eventually entrusted with command of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

That surge ended in April 2020, when a COVID-19 outbreak on “TR” forced her to dock in Guam. As the virus spread rapidly throughout the carrier—eventually infecting a quarter of Crozier’s 4,800 sailors and claiming one life—he emailed his superiors, asking for more help.

The leak of this email to the media embarrassed the Navy and sealed Crozier’s fate. While he was on his way to becoming an admiral, he actually sacrificed his career for the safety of his crew.

‘I might need to sleep’

Thursday’s luncheon began with a stirring performance by the Elsie Allen High School marching band, followed by a color presentation by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Honor Guard and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by 100-year-old Ted Moneymaker. In the Pacific Theater of World War II with the U.S. Army’s 32nd Infantry.

Although it had been a while since Moneymaker read the pledge to the crowd, he said he thought he could get through it with “one warning.”

“And here’s the warning: I might need a nap in the middle.”

In keeping with the theme of unity, Crozier shared the story of four high school friends who each went into different branches of service: Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Throughout their lives, even in their deaths, they argued about which branch was superior. Finally, they stood in front of the Pearly Gates and “asked St. Peter to settle the matter once and for all,” Crozier recounted.

St. agreed to convey the problem to his boss. Peter soon returned with an answer.

Crozier said he read “from a little scroll” in which the Almighty kindly warned his friends against fighting.

“All branches are brave, noble and honorable. You all served with dedication and courage. Take pride in this service and forget your petty rivalries.

Semper Fi,

God.”

This punchline brought down the house, especially delighting the Marines in attendance: Semper Fi, short for Semper Fidelis – Latin for “Always Faithful” – is the Marine Corps motto.

Although Crozier was a Navy man, he was the embodiment of “Semper Fi”, always loyal to the welfare of his sailors.

The person who confirmed this Thursday was Santa Rosa City Council District 5 candidate Jeremy Newton. Newton returns with Crozier. The two Naval Academy graduates met in 2005. Crozier was an officer aboard the USS Nimitz; Newton, a fighter pilot, was flying F/A-18s on and off this carrier during the Iraq War.

Newton says “everyone in the Navy” he’s spoken to supports Crozier’s decisions in 2020.

“They always taught us this in the academy; do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Not just when it is beneficial or easy for you.”

happy with your decision

Since the tumultuous events 4.5 years ago, Crozier has emphasized that he is at peace with this decision and has no hard feelings towards the Navy.

Staying well above any partisan fighting Thursday, he made no mention of the incident that cost him his command during his 20-minute speech. Still, people asked him about it.

After standing in a line waiting for Crozier to sign copies of his book, Pam D’Angelo of Santa Rosa expressed admiration for the captain for his selflessness.

“I wanted to make sure that no matter what I did, I could live with it,” he told her. “I felt pretty good about it. I would like to say that I would do it again.”

Like others in attendance, D’Angelo felt the level of anxiety that rose on election day subside during lunch.

Being around people fighting for their country “was very healing,” he said, reminding him that people will make good decisions, as Crozier did.”

There was also an inspiring, comforting and timely call from the Rev. Emily Stockert, pastor of Two Rock Valley and Tomales Presbyterian Churches. This means that “our common life can be enriched, the forces of truth and goodness can be strengthened; we will share our prosperity and care for the most vulnerable among us.