Our San Diego Military Families

HM2 Don Williams of Santee and his son Theodore (2.5) at the USS Portland Command picnic in front of the United Through Reading (UTR) van. Don used the UTR van to record himself reading a story so that Theodore and Don’s daughter Sunday (3 mo.) can watch the recording and read along while he is deployed. The USS Portland deployed on August 4 and will return in the spring of 2022.

Cece Cearley and her kids Dean (2) & Alexandria (1) welcome home husband/dad LCpl Troy Cearley, who just returned from a seven-month deployment in Africa. He serves in the Marine Corps; stationed at Miramar Air Station.

Master Sergeant Blanca E. Gonzalez-Phelps of MCAS Miramar (a mom of three) hugs daughter Victoria (7) at a Marine Corps retirement ceremony where Blanca was recognized for 20 years of honorable service. “I gave a speech thanking my family for their sacrifices and support during my years of service,” she says. Now Blanca looks forward to school drop-offs and pick-ups, field trips, and just being Mom.

Brian Hutchinson, RT, of Point Loma (pictured with wife Tia and daughters Brianna, 9, and Ava, 5) has a leadership role in the Sigma Alpha Gamma Military Fraternity. The group meets regularly to feed the homeless downtown; they also volunteer to place flags on the graves of fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.

Lydia and daughter Ava (4) welcome home Sgt. Burkhart of MCAS Miramar after an 11-month deployment.

Gisella Mancilla, husband GYSGT Friedman of the Marine Corps and son Brandon (4) reunite after a deployment tour. They live in Point Loma.

November 2021 • SanDiegofamily.com • 11