', { container : $('#page-wrap')[0], position : 'bottomright', skin : 'light', size : 'large', maxWidth : 200, radius : false, hideOthers: true, voila : false, zIndex : 9 }); }); }); } }); Two days after a historically contentious election, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Santa Rosa provided a kind of palate cleanser. In addition to sack lunches handed out at Thursday’s Veterans Tribute at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, the event served up plenty of patriotism — but zero partisanship. On this day, declared emcee Casey Williams, “we’re not Democrats, we’re not Republicans. We’re united to honor our veterans.” Foremost among the veterans the 400-plus crowd had gathered to honor and hear was keynote speaker Brett Crozier, a 1988 graduate of Santa Rosa High School who attended the U.S. Naval Academy, then embarked on a 30-year-year career in the Navy. First a helicopter pilot, then a fighter pilot, Crozier rose swiftly up the Navy’s hierarchy. Eventually, he was entrusted with command of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. That ascent ended in April, 2020, when an outbreak of COVID-19 on the “TR” forced it to dock in Guam. With the virus galloping through the carrier — it eventually infected a quarter of Crozier’s 4,800 sailors, taking the life of one — he emailed his superiors, pleading for more help. That email was leaked to the media, embarrassing the Navy and sealing Crozier’s fate. On track to be an admiral, he had essentially sacrificed his career for the safety of his crew. ‘I might need a nap’ Kicking off Thursday’s luncheon was a rousing performance by the Elsie Allen High School marching band, followed by the presentation of colors by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by 100-year-old Ted Moneymaker, who fought in the Pacific Theater of World War II with the U.S. Army’s 32nd Infantry. While it had been a while since he’d recited the pledge, Moneymaker told the crowd, he thought he’d be able to get through it, “with one caveat,” he said. “And that caveat is, I might need a nap in the middle.” In keeping with the theme of unity, Crozier shared the story of the four high school friends, each of whom entered a different branch of service: Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Throughout their lives, and even in death, they argued about which branch was superior. Finally, standing before the Pearly Gates, “they asked Saint Peter to settle the question, once and for all,” Crozier recounted. After agreeing to take the question to his boss, St. Peter returned soon after with a reply. Reading “from a tiny scroll,” said Crozier, the Almighty gently admonished the friends for squabbling. “All branches are brave, noble, and honorable. You all served with devotion and courage. Take pride in that service and forget your petty rivalries. Semper Fi,