The Fourth of July means a lot of things to a lot of different people.
In search of what this special day means to the people of Coronado, The Coronado News asked the local police department to answer four questions.
Here is what they said.
What does the 4th mean to you?
Charles Alejandrino, Police Officer: The 4th of July is a day which reminds me it’s the time of the year families and friends gather, relax and reflect on the challenging work others before us accomplished to give us our way of life. Also, it’s a day that symbolizes how our daily efforts and hard work continue our heritage of independence. Our traditions: the places we gather, the fireworks we watch, the road-trips we take and the meals and moments we share provide us with memories which bring significance and meaning to the independence we value.Â
Andrew Hutchens, Corporal: It’s an opportunity to spend time with family and friends while celebrating the fact we can do so freely…these days it also means work – it’s an all hands on deck type of event here in Coronado and it’s fun to be able to celebrate with partners.
Grace Del Bagno, Police Officer: It means love for my community and country. The country coming together during various eras of division and declaring our mutual love for where we are blessed to live. Regardless of history, political or religious believes, etc.
Sam Sellers, Sergeant: The 4th is the best Holiday of the year! I am lucky enough to have a front-row seat at one of the most patriotic celebrations in the nation!
Sergeant Ryan Brennan: For me, the fourth is a time to appreciate and celebrate what we have in America.
Lea Corbin, Police Community Relations: The 4th of July is a time for Americans to come together and celebrate our country and our freedoms.
Tazz Phillips, Police Service Officer: The 4th of July means a day of recognition for this great nation that I am proud to call home. It acknowledges the sacrifices those before us have given in order for us to live freely in this great country and live our lives to the fullest.Â
Jennifer Reloj, Police Records Specialist: Freedom.
Jose Sandoval, Police Services Officer: It means celebration and appreciation. We celebrate our country’s freedom, our own personal freedoms and rights and appreciate all the fights and struggles it took to gain them…plus fireworks.
Mark Harris, Lieutenant: The 4th of July is a day dedicated to honoring our nation, the brave individuals who defended it and those who contributed to its development.
What was your most memorable 4th?
Charles Alejandrino, Police Officer: July 4th, 2013: The last time I remember not working on the 4th of July. My friends and I spent time in Oak Harbor, Washington. The weather was perfect, and we spent the time crab hunting on the lake during the day, and then feasting throughout the evening.
Andrew Hutchens, Corporal: July 4th, 2020 in the COVID bubble. Just a small celebration with close friends, but we did our own small fireworks show and then climbed nearby hills and watched fireworks shows all over the valley.
Grace Del Bagno, Police Officer: Most memorable is the year I got to stay at the golf course for all the events of the day. Bicycling, Leap Frog, singing the anthem at the concert on the green and watching the fireworks from directly beneath them, in the Jeep, on the grass, with the top of the Jeep off.Â
Sam Sellers, Sergeant: The most memorable Fourth was when I welcomed the Leap Frogs to Coronado as they landed at the golf course where they invited me to go on a jump with them.
Sergeant Ryan Brennan: The most memorable Fourth for me was probably in 2018, which was the first since moving here, when I first saw all the events the city does, concluding with all the fireworks over the bay. Â
Lea Corbin, Police Community Relations: In 2012, when the Big Bay Boom Fireworks Show blew up over San Diego Bay – it shook Coronado. I was working in our Emergency Operations Center at the time it occurred. It felt like an earthquake. Another memorable event was back in the day when the Navy did their Air & Sea Show at 2 p.m. on Glorietta Bay. It was a spectacular event.
Tazz Phillips, Police Service Officer: My most memorable Fourth of July was my first City of Coronado Fourth of July Parade in 2021. Being able to assist with the parade and see how happy the people attending were made all the hard work and commitment the city gave to the event worth it.
Jennifer Reloj, Police Records Specialist: When I was a child and my whole family would spend the day together then go to the fireworks show at the local high school in Ohio.
Jose Sandoval, Police Services Officer: July 2017, being in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I didn’t expect a 4th of July celebration there.
Mark Harris, Lieutenant: In my childhood, I have fond memories of celebrating this special day with neighbors on our block. We would gather together, close off the street, engage in fun activities, enjoy delicious barbecue and conclude the festivities with an epic fireworks display.
What’s your favorite Coronado 4th of July event to work?
Charles Alejandrino, Police Officer: Choosing from the multiple events, I have to say I enjoy working the Navy Leap Frogs Aerial Demonstration the most! This is a time where the community becomes spectators of a technically challenging live show of the U.S. Navy’s Parachute Team. There are many hours of training and technical planning behind the scenes to make this special event happen. I secretly want to tandem jump with them at least one time. Beyond this, and the part that makes it my favorite, are the moments shared with the community on the golf course. From taking the time to sing along with the citizens during the live concerts, to playing the role of a catcher for a father and daughter playing baseball is what makes this event so special to work.
Andrew Hutchens, Corporal: Definitely the fireworks! It’s complete mayhem immediately before and after the show, but everyone (including us) comes to a halt during the event and gets to enjoy the fireworks.
Grace Del Bagno, Police Officer: Leap Frog is my favorite! So patriotic and cool to watch.
Sam Sellers, Sergeant: Golf Course! There are concerts all evening, Leap Frogs and ground zero of a fireworks launch site.
Sergeant Ryan Brennan: My favorite event to work is the parade because it is family oriented with everyone enjoying the crowd. Plus, most people are not too drunk yet requiring my services.
Lea Corbin, Police Community Relations: The parade. It’s so much fun seeing Orange Avenue filled with families and friends enjoying the event and having a good time.
Tazz Phillips, Police Service Officer: My favorite Coronado Fourth of July event is the fireworks display. Every year I think the fireworks can not be better than the year previous and am consistently proven wrong.
Jennifer Reloj, Police Records Specialist: The parade is my favorite 4th of July event in Coronado.
Jose Sandoval, Police Services Officer: Leap Frog demonstration.
Mark Harris, Lieutenant: Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day is the parade. It is a joyous sight to witness families lining the route, wholeheartedly celebrating our Independence Day. During the parade, the admiration and gratitude towards our armed forces are palpable as they proudly march down Orange Avenue. It’s a remarkable site to witness the veterans standing tall and saluting our flag as it passes by along the parade route.
Where in the world have you celebrated the fourth?
Charles Alejandrino, Police Officer: I did not have the means to celebrate the 4th of July outside of the country until now. I can only hope other parts of the world celebrate and cherish our country’s holiday as much as Coronado does!
Andrew Hutchens, Corporal: Texas, British Columbia and California.
Grace Del Bagno, Police Officer: Just Los Angeles and San Diego. Thankfully, I’ve always been in the country for our holiday.
Sam Sellers, Sergeant: I’ve celebrated the 4th by working in Coronado. Every. Year. (Not complaining!)
Sergeant Ryan Brennan: I do not have a passport so have only celebrated it in the United States.
Lea Corbin, Police Community Relations: This is my 25th year working the 4th of July festivities for the Police Department. Prior to that, I spent a lot of 4th holidays relaxing on the beach in San Diego.
Tazz Phillips, Police Service Officer: In 2017, I spent the Fourth of July in England while doing my study abroad at the University of Cambridge.
Jennifer Reloj, Police Records Specialist: Ohio, Illinois, and California with family and friends.
Jose Sandoval, Police Services Officer: California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Mexico.
Mark Harris, Lieutenant: Lake Almanor in Northern California has long been a cherished fishing spot. It was a hidden gem (until now) and is considered one of California’s best secret fishing spots to celebrate the 4th of July.
