Paloma Valley High School NJROTC cadets participate in a ceremonial folding of the American flag at the ceremony.
Paloma Valley High School dedicated a flagpole Tuesday in memory of alumnus and U.S. Army Sgt. John C. Barcellano, who died in 2017 at age 26.
Barcellano graduated from Paloma Valley in 2009 and later enlisted in the Army, where he served as an M1 tank crewman and completed two deployments.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, Barcellano’s mother, Lisa Moncur, spoke about her son’s life and the determination that followed him from childhood through his military career.
“There is one sentence that, to me, captures the essence of who John was,” Moncur said. “If you’re going to try something, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.”
Moncur said Barcellano was quiet and soft-spoken as a child but was determined and creative. He played roller hockey, rode BMX bikes and taught himself to play drums before joining the drum line and marching band at Paloma Valley.
After high school, Barcellano attended Mt. San Jacinto College to study sound engineering before deciding to enlist in the Army in March 2013. He completed training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he served with the 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment.
Barcellano deployed to Djibouti in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield. While deployed, he also developed an interest in photography and videography, skills that eventually became part of his military duties.
He received several awards during his military career, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Moncur said Barcellano was also known for his sense of humor and willingness to help others. While living in El Paso, he became involved in the local motorcycle community and participated in volunteer and charitable events.
Since his death, Moncur said she has raised money for charities important to her son, helped establish memorial scholarships at his former high school and continued serving others in his memory.
“John may have been taken from us far too soon,” Moncur said. “But he made every one of his 26 years count.”
Tuesday’s ceremony included a presentation of the colors by Paloma Valley’s NJROTC cadets, the national anthem performed by the Wildcat Brigade and a ceremonial folding of the American flag.
The flagpole was then formally dedicated in Barcellano’s memory.
“So today, I don’t want us to remember how John died,” Moncur said. “I want us to remember how John lived with courage, with determination, with laughter, with love, with service.”
