Commemorative ceremony honors Mexican aviator Captain Emilio Carranza in New Jersey
The annual commemorative ceremony honoring Mexican aviator Captain Emilio Carranza Rodríguez was held on July 11 in Tabernacle, New Jersey. Members of Mount Holly Post 11 of the American Legion have organized the tribute for the past 99 years.
American Legion members, representatives from the Mexican Consulates in Philadelphia, New Brunswick, and New York, as well as members of the Mexican and American communities from across the region, gathered to honor the military aviator from Coahuila. Carranza died on July 12, 1928, at the age of 22, when his aircraft, México-Excélsior, crashed in the forests of New Jersey during severe weather. He was returning from his historic Goodwill Flight between Mexico and the United States.
In his remarks, Consul Carlos G. Obrador noted that, “Once again, we come together to commemorate an event that marked a historic milestone in the strategic relationship between Mexico and the United States—an episode that continues to symbolize the friendship and cooperation between our two neighboring nations.”
The Mexican diplomat added that Captain Carranza “carried with him not only the goodwill of the Mexican people, but also the hope that two nations so closely linked by geography, history, and family ties could also be united through mutual respect.”
This year, the Carranza family was represented by José Santiago Ochoa III, who traveled from San Antonio, Texas, and attended the commemoration for the first time.
“I have the privilege of speaking not only as a member of the Carranza family, but as someone who has inherited a story carried through generations—a story of courage, sacrifice, and above all, hope,” he said.
Ochoa emphasized that Carranza’s 1928 journey to New York was never about personal fame, but rather a mission of goodwill and friendship—a message that remains as important today as it was nearly a century ago.
“Emilio’s greatest legacy is the enduring friendship between peoples and the belief that respect transcends borders. As we approach the centennial of Emilio’s final flight, let us remember that history is not simply something we inherit; it is something we choose to preserve. My hope is that we continue building bridges rather than barriers,” he said.
Many of this year’s speakers echoed that message, highlighting the bonds of friendship that unite Mexico and the United States rather than the differences that divide them.
Despite heavy rain, members of Mount Holly Post 11 carried out the ceremony, preserving a tradition that has become a lasting legacy for future generations since it began 99 years ago in the New Jersey woods.
The event was enriched by the colorful participation of the Mexican Folkloric Ballet of New York, Lazos América Unida, and riders from the Asociación Jinete Solitario, whose presence added a vibrant cultural dimension to the ceremony.
Earlier this year, a delegation from Mount Holly Post 11 traveled to Mexico City to participate in commemorative activities celebrating Captain Emilio Carranza Rodríguez’s historic Goodwill