Cerda is guest speaker for Reunion Service on Aug. 18

NEWTON, NC (August 16, 2011) – Master Chief Raymond Cerda will serve as the guest speaker for the 2011 Soldiers Reunion Service on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 4:00 p.m. on the east side of the Courthouse Square in downtown Newton. The public is invited to attend.

Locally, Master Chief Cerda has worked for the Catawba County School System serving as the Naval Science Instructor for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) at St. Stephens High School since 2001.

Master Chief Cerda holds a BA degree in Criminology from St. Leo College. He retired from the United States Navy as a Master Chief Petty Officer Legalman after a 20-year career. Master Chief Cerda is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. Master Chief Cerda was born in Detroit, MI. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1978.  He received basic training at Orlando, FL. and yeoman training at Meridian, MS.

Afloat he has served with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His operational assignments include duty onboard USS Barbey (FF 1088) and USS South Carolina (CGN 37).  He also served as Legal Officer with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR (NMCB 74) deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily and Naval Air Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and USS Yellowstone  (AD 41) in-theatre during Operation Desert Shield/Storm from August 1990 until April 1991.

Ashore he served on the staff of Atlantic Fleet Headquarters Support Activity and Commander-in-Chief US Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA.  In 1987 he graduated with distinction from the Naval Justice School, Newport, RI, from both the Legalman and Legal Officer courses. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Special Assistant to Legal Counsel for the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC.  He completed two other headquarter assignments at the Naval Legal Service Office, National Capital and Chief Judge, Navy/Marine Corps Trial Judiciary.

Cerda retired from active duty in 1998.  His civilian employment began with the Massachusetts Institute Technology Research & Engineering Corp., providing administrative assistance to the Joint Tactical Radio Systems Program and Human Resources Leadership & Management Department. He then began duties as Naval Science Instructor at St. Stephens High School. 

He is a current member of the Hickory City Community Relations Council, U.S. Navy Memorial Association, USO of North Carolina, U.S. Congressional 10^th District Military Advisory Committee, American Legion Post 48, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4553, Disabled American Veterans Hickory Chapter #34, and Catawba County Republican Men’s Forum. He attends St. Aloysious Church. His military decorations include: Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal (4 awards); Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Southeast Asia Medal; and Kuwait Liberation Medal.