Viewfinder: Stripes! Local Promoted to Colonel — In His Home!
Marc Anthony Garcia was promoted in a ceremony in his Carlton Avenue home.
Photos
Marc Anthony Garcia, the son of locals Yolande and Carlos Garcia, was promoted to colonel in a unique ceremony on Saturday in his family home on Carlton Avenue.
Typically, such rituals are carried out at military bases, but Marc Anthony Garcia suggested doing it at his home in historic Fort Greene — the site of a former military base, Fort Putnam, during the Revolutionary War.
"[My home] fit the criteria because it was in Fort Greene — with General Greene and George Washington — it had the military touch in terms of history," said Col. Marc Anthony Garcia. "From an historic perspective it was great. As senior officers we study military history."
By all accounts, having the ceremony at the elegant brownstone between Willoughby and DeKalb avenues was a great idea.
"General Cornelius said it was the first time he'd done [the ceremony] outside of a military base," said Yolande Garcia. "It was beatuful, really gorgeous. I felt great that my son had accomplished a lot."
Marc Anthony Garcia added that it felt good to "return to his roots" in the neighborhood. But on Thursday he was back at work for the State Department as a Supervisory Special Agent in Miami, specializing in passport and Visa fraud.
"We're serving some warrants tonight, I'm trying to get some rest," he said.
Check out our photographer's photos of the big moment.
Norman Easy
2:48 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Marc - I am proud of you my friend. You are a Patriot and a warrior!
Congratulations.
LTC Norman Easy
calvin graham
5:50 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Continue to pray up, sir.....words that you given me for continued inspiration and success; A Soldiers Soldier, A great Leader and Mentor! Congratulations and continue to inspire those who would follow you in battle, without question.
MAJ Calvin L. Graham, Jr.
Brunine David
6:53 am on Saturday, February 26, 2011
I am so proud of my cousin, I am so proud of you Marc. Tante Yollande and mon oncle Carlos What a wonderful job you have done by educating such a great and wonderful human being!
Je suis très fière de toi Tante Yollande.
Brunine David
Andre A Moss
7:53 am on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Bro. Marc, all of the best and congrats with your promotion - well deserved and I will look forward to additional good reports in the near future. Your brothers in the Bahamas are very proud of you!
Terry
5:33 am on Monday, February 28, 2011
Marc,
You are an accomplished Alpha Phi Alpha military Man--your choice of location for the ceremony honored all who have served and respect military history. Best wishes for success as a United States Army Colonel. Bro. Terry Nealy
Giovanni Caldarone
5:04 pm on Thursday, March 24, 2011
Comander,
congratulations for your promotion; you are the best: a very patriot , a very good friend and a very courageous man. I'm very happy because I attend a your ceremony by your e-mail. I'm very proud of you. Giovanni Caldarone ( Rome - Italy).
Cyril Walkes
12:51 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Congratulations My friend on your promotion and i wish you and your family all the best in the future. i will send this information to Mr. Charles Fernander.
Cyril A Walkes
Nassau, Bahamas