(L-R) Nick Dieterich with super veterans: Skip Atkins, Chris Blatt, Tom Lang and “Willy” Buhl.
(Courtesy of Nick Dieterich)
With gratitude: 2026 RSF Independence Day Parade and more
For United States’ 250th Anniversary, the 2026 edition of Rancho Santa Fe’s Independence Day Parade was spectacular! Photos don’t do justice. The crowds of 100s and 3-4 deep were the perhaps largest in decades!
Thank you for those that turned out to celebrate America, and our excellent military and first responders! As golf legend Gary Player says: “This is the greatest country in the world” It is a gift. “Freedom is so important!” We must work hard to preserve it for our decedents.
A special thank you several people who participated in our 4th of July Parade.
We highly appreciate you!:
· Cutter Clotfelter, RSF Parade organizer and emcee. A fantastic job every year!
Rancho Santa Fe’s Fire District crews:
· E261 – Curtis Benz, Chris Pane, and Tyler Ball
· E263 – Chase Cantrell, Sean Johnson, Mitch Grant
· M261 – John Brzostkiewicz, Omar Inostroza
· B264 – Trever Krueger
Color Guard from IPAC Quality Control Branch, MCAS Miramar:
· Sergeant Christian Limon
· Corporal M. Medina
· Lance Corporal Chelsie Uscanga Marquez
· Lance Corporal Amie N. Hernandez
Thank you to Sandy and Peter Mossy, who provided the convertible driven by Nick Dieterich:
RSF and area veterans:
· COL. Willard ‘Willy’ Buhl
34-Year Distinguished Marine Career (1982-2016)
Participated in Op Iraqi Freedom included clearing Fallujah.
EOTG: Instructor for the Distance Education Program at Expeditionary Warfare School on Camp Pendleton.
Col. Buhl would go above and beyond to follow up on each Marine he helped out.
· Tom Lang
Veteran USMC Infantry Officer
Platoon Leader and Company Commander in Vietnam in 1968.
· Skip Atkins
Army, Specialist 5, Medic, Vietnam: June 1964 thru June 1966.
· Chris Blatt
Highest Rank was Commander US Navy – last duty Station US Pacific Fleet.
Chris helps house wounded or retired military veterans.
· SGT. Paul Seitz, USMC (ret.), 1996-2004
RSF School Board member,
San Diego Honor Flight Board and has chaperoned numerous veterans on DC trips!
“Shelter To Soldier” with their motto: “Saving Lives Two at a Time.”
They pair and train shelter dogs with wounded veterans.
Canine Ambassador Therapy Dog Teams:
· Bill and Briana Duffield with Therapy Dog Nala,
· Veteran alumni, USN Veteran Rebecca with her Service Dog Gail.
Also, wish to acknowledge the many living RSF-area veterans. This is a very partial list. If you are or know of a veteran or 1st responder that lives or works in our community, please let me know at soonest: PublicpolicyNick@aol.com.
· LT Thomas D. Rutledge, USNR JAGC (Ret.)
7 Years Army National Guard, 13 Years in Navy
· Andrew Paul
RSF resident and veteran. Still an active member of the reserves.
· Bill Voge
E-5. US Army Security Agency
· Bill Strong
Commissioned Officer in US Navy Pilot Training in Pensacola Fla 1968-69;
Ranked 1st of 128; Honorable Discharge
· LTJG Steve Dunn, USN vet. 1969-1973.
· Chaco Clotfelter
Captain, USMC, Special Forces, 1990s. One of only nine active-duty Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Platoon Commanders. He has been recognized on Mt. Soledad with a plaque recognizing his service to our nation for many duties including complex intel. duties.
· Dick Clotfelter
Captain in the U S Marines and was on the planning staff for the invasion of Cuba just prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis in Oct 1962.
· Heather Manion
Captain, US Army Nurse, Ret.
· Kris Kilmartin Groves
Navy Special Forces, Ret.
An outstanding citizen. He sacrificed so much for our country and had several tours in the Middle East as well as provided security services for our President and VPs.
Thank you, too, to the RSF Senior Center’s Kris Slugg, and the RSF Historical Society, and the many others that do their part in making the event great!
Thank you,
Nick Dieterich,
RSF Parade Military and First Responder Coordinator