St. Matthew’s Veteran’s Day Tribute to Army Officer Who Led Palisades Fire Recovery

St. Matthew’s Parish School held a heartfelt Veterans Day Chapel service on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 honoring those who have served our nation with a special tribute to Colonel Jeffrey S. Palazzini, a distinguished U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer whose recent work holds profound significance for the school community.

The ceremony featured a deeply symbolic American flag that was raised and lowered on December 7, 2024 at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, a powerful reminder of the lives lost, the bravery of those who served, and the enduring freedoms they fought to protect. The flag will be flown at the School’s home campus in Pacific Palisades when it reopens in fall 2026.

Colonel Palazzini, currently serving as Commander of the Alaska District, joined the service via video conference from Anchorage to share reflections on service, sacrifice, and community. A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Colonel Palazzini also holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a master’s degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University. Throughout his career, Colonel Palazzini has served in numerous leadership positions, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve, and as deputy commander of the Mosul Dam Task Force. His stateside assignments have included commanding the Charleston District (2017-2019), where he oversaw major civil works and military construction projects, and serving as an assistant professor at West Point.

His connection to the school runs deep. In early 2025, Colonel Palazzini was deployed to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ emergency response to the devastating Pacific Palisades Fire. As commander of the Emergency Field Office – Palisades Fire, he oversaw one of the fastest and most extensive debris removal operations in California history. Under his leadership, USACE coordinated with FEMA, state, and local partners to clear over 1 million tons of fire debris from more than 4,000 properties. The operation, which involved over 450 USACE volunteers and 2,800 contractors, removed structural debris, hazardous trees, and contaminated materials, completing the mission months ahead of schedule.

Col. Palazzini specifically led the clean up of our beloved Bienveneda campus immediately following the fire. He was present on St. Matthew’s campus for long hours each day, for days and weeks, overseeing a crew of over 50 people at times! Head of School, Alley Michaelson reflected on the moment in time sharing, “One Sunday this past spring, I went up to campus to see for myself what was happening, and I ran into Col. Palazzini working with a crew to make sure our campus was on the path to recovery. He is a true role model and leads by example every day of the week.” Col. Palazzini’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, Combat Action Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge. He is married with two children and hails from Mercerville, New Jersey. 

During the service, Col. Palazzini spoke about what Veterans Day means to him after 26 years of service in the U.S. Army. He described his assignment in the Palisades as an incredibly rewarding experience and commended the community for their resilience as the area rebuilds and recovers. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about his military service and his role in helping the Palisades—particularly his role in helping St. Matthew’s. 

The program opened with the School’s kindergarten class singing “Flag of America,” performing it in American Sign Language, and concluded with the middle school choir’s rendition of “This Land Is Your Land.”

“This day reminds us of the power of service and the importance of remembering those who protect our freedoms,” continued Mrs. Michaelson. “We’re especially grateful for the chance to honor someone who is part of our St. Matthew’s family.”