Our Community Salutes (OCS)

Each spring, OCS honors thousands of military-bound high school graduates in OCS Enlistment Recognition Ceremonies across the nation. Since 2009, OCS enlistment ceremonies have been held in banquet halls, auditoriums, and sports arenas from New York to California, attended by tens of thousands of people in appreciation of the young men and women of OCS entering military service. Go to https://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org/communities-home#communities to see where these events were held in 2026. These ceremonies are dedicated to recognizing a high school student’s decision to enlist in the armed services after graduation versus pursuing other opportunities available to them, such as work, college, or trade careers. Each OCS student enlistee receives a Certificate of Recognition from OCS, a pocket guide of the U.S. Constitution, gifts by supportive sponsors, and the recognition that their community of veterans, parents, and community leaders supports their decision to serve.

For the past four year, the Waterman-Twining Chapter has supported this event. The Tampa ceremony was held on Thursday night, April 23, at the TPepin Hospitality Centre. The Chapter was able to set up a table to showcase the AFA Mission and Chapter activities. Bill Yucuis, Chapter President, and two cadets from USF’s Arnold Air Society, Vito Demalteris and Bao Nguyen, volunteered to help at the event.

Bill and Vito at Chapter table

Bao and Vito at Check In table

Vito, Bill, and Bao inside Hospitality Centre