Sworn Loyalty

A local Navy man recommitted to another hitch in the service while standing just behind home plate at Petco Park on the drizzly morning of Monday, February 22. Fire Controlman First Class Jeremy Bondy reenlisted for his third active-duty tour.

Bondy, originally from Toledo, Ohio, first joined the Navy in 1997. He currently serves onboard San Diego-based USS Jarrett, where he was recently selected as 2009 Senior Sailor of the Year for Destroyer Squadron One.

While family, friends, and shipmates looked on, Bondy was ceremoniously discharged and then immediately took the oath of reenlistment. Bondy was presented with a folded U.S. flag that had been flown on his ship.

“I am proud to be part of this Navy, a part of [USS Jarrett], and a part of this community,” Bondy told onlookers. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Petco Park staff presented Bondy with a gift bag of Padres promotional goods, including ballcaps, T-shirts, and a Padres Mr. Potato Head toy for his daughter Emma.