The Union County School District would like to invite all veterans and their families to join us for a special ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024. Beginning at 9 am, the program will be held in the Union County High School Auditorium, located at 1000 South Lake Avenue in Lake Butler.
Highlights of the ceremony will include the Presentation of Colors by the UCHS JROTC Color Guard and a special musical tribute by the UCHS Band. The Guest of Honor will be Petty Officer Second Class Dillon Chance Bailey.
Petty Officer Bailey has been an integral part of Union County’s educational system, having attended schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and graduating in 2012. During his tenure at UCHS, Petty Officer Bailey excelled both academically and athletically, contributing to his school’s history by playing football and baseball for the UC Tigers, notably helping the team secure its first-ever State Baseball Championship.
Following high school, Petty Officer Bailey advanced his education at Daytona State College and Florida Gateway College from 2012 to 2015. On February 2, 2015, he took the commendable step of enlisting in the US Coast Guard, subsequently attending boot camp at Training Center Cape May, NJ. After completing eight weeks of rigorous training, he was assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute in St. Petersburg, FL, from April to November 2015.
In November 2015, he attended Boatswain’s Mate “A-School” in Yorktown, VA, where he further developed his technical skills until March 2016. Petty Officer Bailey then served on the Coast Guard Cutter Naushon and was involved in the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco in Ketchikan, AK, from March 2016 to June 2108. Subsequently, he was stationed at Coast Guard Station Burlington, VT, From June 2018 to June 2019, followed by a tenure at Coast Guard Station Cap May, NJ, from June 2019 to June 2023. He is currently assigned to the US Recruiting Office in Jacksonville, FL.
Throughout his distinguished career, Petty Officer Bailey has earned multiple qualifications as a Federal Boarding Officer, Coxswain, and Officer of the Day. While actively serving, he also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Project Management and a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Arizona Global Campus. With nine years of dedicated active-duty service in the US Coast Guard, Petty Officer Bailey remains committed to a long-term career in the service.
