It has been 15 years since he graduated from high school, but it seems like only yesterday. Time flies. And so does he.
Rodolfo ‘Rudy’ Rodriguez, a former United States Navy aviator, has traveled the world the last decade and a half serving his country and helping others. He will return home this weekend to speak at the annual Aurora Veterans Day Parade.
With the theme ‘Serving Our Country and Our Community,’ the parade will step off at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, November 11 from the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Aurora. The route will travel north on Broadway, west on Downer and conclude at the GAR Memorial, 23 E. Downer Place, where a special ceremony will feature remarks by Mayor Richard C. Irvin, a veteran of the United States Army, and other local leaders with a keynote address by Rodriguez.
Recommended to speak by the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Aurora resident, Linda Chapa LaVia, Rodriguez graduated from East Aurora High School as valedictorian of the Class of 2004. He earned a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering. Upon graduating in 2008, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida.
In 2011, Rodriguez earned the coveted Wings of Gold and was subsequently stationed with the Navy Patrol Squadron 30 where he learned to fly the P-3 Orion. He then was stationed with Navy Patrol Squadron 46 – the Grey Knights – through which he was deployed twice. The first deployment in 2012 was to the Bahrain Air Base where he flew antisubmarine warfare and surveillance missions in the Persian Gulf. His second deployment in 2013 was to Okinawa, Japan where he flew missions in the Persian Gulf. Rodriguez successfully completed his career in the United States Navy in 2014. Now, an accomplished business coach and investor in emerging technologies, Rodriguez continues to travel the world contributing to the strategic success of businesses and individuals.
“I consider this a great honor to come home, salute my fellow veterans and see all of the great things happening in Aurora,” said Rodriguez.
The two dozen parade units will feature local veterans organizations including the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, the Roosevelt-American Legion Post 84, AMVETS Post #103, the Fox Valley Marine Corps League, Jennings Terrace Veterans, Toyota Veterans Association and the City of Aurora Veterans-Employees; youth groups including the Marmion Academy Flannigan Rifles, Lincoln’s Challenge, Aurora Sea Cadets and the East Aurora NJROTC and Marching Band; public safety agencies such as the Aurora Police Department, the Aurora Fire Department and the Kane County Sheriff’s Department; and additional local businesses and organizations.
— City of Aurora government