Calabasas to remember Anza with bang

BRACE FOR BATTLE—Volunteers prepare to reenact the maneuvers of Juan Bautista de Anza’s troops as part of the annual “Anza en Calabazas 1776” commemoration, scheduled for Sun., Feb. 26 at the Soka University campus on Mulholland Highway. On Feb. 26, a contingency of soldados (soldiers) directed by Jim Elwell-Martinez, 65, a descendant of one of the Anza’s officers, will march across the Calabasas Soka campus and fire their replica .69 caliber fusil rifles as a part of the “Anza en Calabazas 1776” commemoration.

Comprising mostly retirees who served in World War II and the Vietnam War, the reenactment unit is dedicated to preserving the memory of the original soldados who accompanied Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza on his expedition through California.

Anza was an explorer who was chartered by the Spanish government to explore Alta California during the late 18th century. During this period, the Spanish government was concerned that the Russians, who had fur hunting outposts in Northern California, would attempt to conquer the rest of the area.

Exactly 230 years ago, Anza established camp in the Las Virgenes Valley as he and a group 240 families, priests and Native American guides explored the region.

The Soldados group, which Martinez founded 16 years ago, authentically portrays the Spanish presidial soldier through reenactments of military drills and role playing based on research into period history. They also wear authentic costumes.

“We formed up as a squad of soldados in 1990 and have been in hundreds of events all over California and the southwest,” said Martinez. “We have also marched in Washington, DC to honor Spanish heroes of the American Revolution.”

The original soldados were common throughout the presidios in California between the years of 1769 and 1821.

Martinez, a retired cement finisher, is a descendent of Jose Joaquin de Moraga, a high-ranking officer who accompanied Anza on his original 1776 expedition through the area.

The “Anza en Calabazas 1776” is an annual celebration that has been held every year since 1985.

“We love what we do and it will be a long time before we quit,” said Martinez. “The public loves it, especially when we show them our gear, the muskets, cannons and our uniforms and the story on how we put it all together.”

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, rain or shine.

The Soka University Calabasas campus is at 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy.