Pacifica Stories

As we gear up for Pacifica’s 2024 Homecoming Week, one of our primary focuses is on our beloved mascot, the Seawolves. Amidst exciting sports games, spirit days, and our annual boat dance, this is a special time to honor and remember the namesakes of the mascot– the Vietnam veterans who served in the Naval Helicopter Attack Squadron known as the Seawolves. Later this week, we will host the annual Seawolves Luncheon on campus with any of the local veterans; however, earlier this year two Pacifica staff members had the opportunity to meet and connect with many more of the Seawolves at their biannual reunion. 

THE REUNION

Every two years, the Seawolves and their families gather in different cities around the United States to reconnect with each other, build upon lifelong friendships forged through trial and time, and make new memories with family and friends. This past summer, the reunion was held in Oklahoma City, and the Seawolves invited Pacifica staff members to attend. Mathew Mulligan and Chris McCulloch, two of our staff members with military background, joined them. 

The trip was filled with tours of the city, shared meals, and time spent catching up with friends. Mr. Mulligan says that his favorite part of the trip was the banquet dinner with all of the Seawolves and their families. During this banquet, the anthem for every branch of the military played, and veterans from each respective branch stood to be honored during their song. 

“It was one of those unifying moments,” Mr. Mulligan said. “It was recognition of the service across all branches… and of the brotherhood that we have there.”

THE POWER OF PRESENCE

Mr. Mulligan also says that in addition to that special moment, the trip was impactful in hearing so many life stories. The wife of a Seawolf who passed away this year still attended the reunion– to remember with, cry with, and be with this community. Mat says that it was emotionally stretching to see the deep connections spanning decades, with one veteran going so far to say that he would continue coming to the reunion “even if they have to bring [him] in a bodybag.” Mr. McCulloch echoes many of Mr. Mulligan’s sentiments. He connected with a woman whose father was a Seawolf, but had never heard him talk about his experience in the war. Now, she comes to the reunion to hear stories about her dad through the men who served with him.

“These men are marked and scarred by their experience, but they’re also made by them through resiliency,” Mr. McCulloch said. “Everything that these guys ‘don’t talk about’-- they do, just not with everyone. We got to hear them talk about it all.” 

Mat described this experience of entering into the continued processing and conversation of these veterans as the “power of presence.”

“If we can step into that story with them, it leads to that connection,” he said. “And God is all about people… I want these people to feel loved.”

A CONTINUED LEGACY

Pacifica dons the Seawolves as our mascot, not only to honor these brave veterans, but to continue their connection with a younger generation. 

“It means so much to them,” Mr. McCulloch said. “That our school would be proud enough of them to have the Seawolf as our mascot– when they were shunned by people before.” 

Mr. Mulligan believes that, in turn, our students can learn valuable lessons from the Seawolves. This personal tie to history can help students realize that there is a whole world going on outside of themselves, and that these men display what brotherhood really is, what it means to have someone’s back. This bigger perspective on life, on service and responsibility and justice, is what Mr. Mulligan hopes students will gain from the Seawolves. 

Our school is honored to be a part of the continued history of the Seawolves, and bridge the gap between the lives of these veterans and those of our students.