CITY OF VISTA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
INCLUDES MILITARY HONORS, THE MAR DELS & FIREWORKS
Vista, CA – The City of Vista’s annual Independence Day Celebration will illuminate the sky over Vista with a spectacular fireworks display on July 4. This tradition of marking the country’s independence has been one of Vista’s most anticipated special events for more than 45 years. The City will once again honor military members as part of the celebration held at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park. This year’s honorees are from the City’s adopted Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 based at Camp Pendleton. The honorees are Sergeant Jacob W. Jones and Sergeant Nathan L. Avery.
The Independence Day Celebration schedule at the Moonlight Amphitheatre includes the military salute at 7:15 p.m., The Mar Dels performing at 7:35 p.m., and the fireworks display at 9 p.m. The Amphitheatre opens at 5 p.m. Admission to the Amphitheatre is $5 per person. Admission for children five and under, active and retired military members and their family are free. Parking in the park is $15 per car and $30 per recreational vehicle.
The evening also includes the Light Up the Night Patriotic BBQ catered by When Pigs Fly barbecue restaurant. Seating for the BBQ starts at 5:15 p.m. and is served at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $60 for adults and $40 for children ten and under. A table of eight may be purchased for $450. Reservations are required by June 27 by calling 760.643.5263. The menu includes beef brisket, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, BBQ beans, macaroni salad, fresh green salad and famous smoked peach cobbler. Beverages are included.
Joining the City in presenting Vista’s Independence Day Celebration is lead sponsor Tri-City Medical Center.
General Information:
7:00 a.m.: Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive
5:00 p.m.: Moonlight Amphitheatre opens
7:15 p.m.: Military and Sponsor Recognition Ceremony on-stage at the Amphitheatre.
7:35 p.m.: The Mar Dels.
9:00 p.m.: Fireworks.
The Mar Dels resumes playing following fireworks until 10:00 p.m.
Call 760.643.5263 or visit cityofvista.com for more information.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought into the park. Alcohol cannot be brought into the Moonlight Amphitheatre but is for sale at the Artisan Café.
The City reminds park visitors to keep household pets at home and secured during the event.
ABOUT THE MILITARY HONOREES:
Sergeant Jacob W. Jones
Sergeant Jones was born on August 24, 1993 in Banning, California. He enlisted into the Marine Corps on February 2, 2011 and attended Recruit Training at MCRD, San Diego, CA. Upon completion, he received training at SOI West, Marine Combat Training Battalion, Hotel Company. As a student of Hotel Company, he was selected by his peers as the “Marine they would most like to serve with again,” earning the award of “Gung Ho Marine.” Following MCT, Sergeant Jones was assigned to “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, where he received basic training as an organizational level airframes and hydraulic mechanic. Sergeant Jones then reported to Camp Pendleton, CA for his “C” school training. Upon graduation he obtained the MOS of 6154 becoming an AH-1W and UH-1Y Airframes Mechanic.
On August 24, 2012, Private First Class Jones reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, aboard Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton. While at HMLA-369 he received OJT on Aircraft Composite repair, sheet metal repair, and maintenance and troubleshooting on Hydraulic and Flight Control systems.
In October of 2013, Lance Corporal Jones deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an Airframes mechanic. During his deployment, in April 2014, Lance Corporal Jones assumed the billet of Collateral Duty Inspector on AH-1W and UH-1Y aircraft. Upon returning from deployment Lance Corporal Jones received qualification as a Collateral Duty Inspector on the AH-1Z platform.
On September 2, 2014, Lance Corporal Jones was selected for Meritorious promotion to the rank of Corporal, earning the title of Non-Commissioned Officer. In July of 2015, Corporal Jones received his qualification as a Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative on the AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft platform. On November 2, 2015, Corporal Jones was again selected for Meritorious promotion to his current rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Jones is a graduate of the resident Sergeant’s and Corporal’s Courses and has also attended Shipboard Aircraft Fire Fighting Course, and Aviation Warfare Apprentice Training aboard NAS Pensacola, and Common Video Borescope course, hosted by NATEC, aboard MCAS Camp Pendleton. Sergeant Jones currently works in the Airframes shop where he holds the billets of AH-1Z and UH-1Y CDQAR, and is the squadron Hydraulic Contamination Control Program Manager. His personal awards include two Meritorious Masts and three Certificates of Commendation awards. Sergeant Jones was appointed as the Color Sergeant, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 on February 22, 2016.
Sergeant Nathan L. Avery
Sergeant Avery was born on August 31, 1992 in Elberton, Georgia. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 7, 2011, and attended recruit training at MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina. After training, he completed Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Following MCT, he was assigned to “C” school at Camp Pendleton, California, where he received basic training as an Organizational Level Helicopter (H-1) Mechanic. Upon graduation he obtained the MOS of 6114 becoming an AH-1W (Cobra) and UH-1Y (Huey) Flightline Mechanic.
On November 28, 2012, Sergeant Avery reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, aboard Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California. While at HMLA-369 he received on the job training, removing and replacing major aircraft components and earned the Plane Captain qualification for three type model series aircraft, AH-1W, UH-1Y, and AH-1Z. During this time, Sergeant Avery supported training exercises at Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) training in Yuma, Arizona and Integrated Training Exercises in Twentynine Palms, California. Sergeant Avery later earned his “wings” by completing the Aerial Observer syllabus, thus cementing his status as flight crew personnel.
Sergeant Avery currently holds the qualification of collateral duty inspector, UH-1Y, and AH-1Z Plane Captain and is the squadron’s fuel surveillance program manager.
ABOUT THE MAR DELS
Since 1982 this popular seven-piece group has been performing dynamic renditions of the best music from the 50’s – 70’s. The band has expanded its repertoire to include select hits from the 80’s and 90’s as well as swing standards from the 40’s. Great music, top notch entertainment, The Mar Dels are legendary not only for this, but also for their ability to whip a crowd up into a dancing frenzy while playing the hits of Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam and Dave, Buddy Holly, Van Morrison, Whitney Houston, Patsy Cline, Steppenwolf, Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, The Doors, The Ventures, The Platters, The Stones, The Stray Cats, The B-52’s, and The Village People.
The City of Vista recognizes and appreciates its other sponsors of this year’s event, including Atomic Investments, EDCO Waste & Recycling, North County Ford, and Hanna Plumbing & Supply.