U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground commander Col. John Nelson provides keynote remarks at the Caballeros de Yuma’s 39th annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony at Armed Forces Park on July 4, 2025.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Staff Sgt. Angel Viveros of YPGs elite Airborne Test Force is receives a plaque from the Yuma Military Affairs Council presented by Yuma City Councilman Mark Martinez at the Caballeros de Yuma’s 39th annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony at Armed Forces Park on July 4, 2025.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Soldier of the Year Spc. Hardi Patel receives a plaque from the Yuma Military Affairs Council presented by Yuma City Councilman Mark Martinez at the Caballeros de Yuma’s 39th annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony at Armed Forces Park on July 4, 2025.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground commander Col. John Nelson (left) is interviewed by KYMA-TV at the Caballeros de Yuma’s 39th annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony at Armed Forces Park on July 4, 2025.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) was well-represented at the Caballeros de Yuma’s 39th annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Ceremony at Armed Forces Park on July 4.

YPG commander Col. John Nelson served as the event’s keynote speaker for the second time since taking command in 2023.

Later in the ceremony, the Yuma Military Affairs Council recognized YPG’s Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Staff Sgt. Angel Viveros of YPG’s elite Airborne Test Force, and Soldier of the Year, Spec. Hardi Patel of the YPG Health Clinic.

In his remarks, Nelson discussed at length the sacrifices of America’s men and women in uniform in defending the United States’ liberty and way of life.

“Having served in the Army for three decades, I’m well aware that the stirring ideals of our nation’s founders would be nothing but words on an aged parchment without the sacrifice of the millions of men and women who have worn the uniform of one of our nation’s service branches,” he said in his remarks. “Every generation of American service men and women has put their life on the line in defense of our nation. It is a sacred bond that unites us active-duty personnel with veterans of all eras and wars, and one that will unite us with future generations for as long as our country stands.”

Nelson also noted Yuma’s extraordinary appreciation for the military and YPG’s position at the forefront of Army transformation efforts in recent years. A large Army 250th Birthday celebration held at Yuma’s Colorado River State Historic Park, the grounds of which were an Army quartermaster depot from 1869 to 1884, was only the most recent example he cited.

“I’m grateful that the Yuma community understands and appreciates the vital work my post is involved in,” said Nelson. “I take every opportunity I can to publicly thank the citizens of Yuma County for their steadfast support of our military and for Yuma Proving Ground. This is by far the most military supportive community I have ever encountered, and I feel so humbled whenever I witness the many ways the community expresses it.”