Hundreds of community members gathered Thursday morning at the Santa Barbara Cemetery to honor local veterans during the return of the annual Veterans Day ceremony presented by Veterans of Foreign War Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation.
Highlights of the ceremony included performances from the Gold Coast Pipe Band, the Santa Barbara Choral Society and the UCSB Color Guard, as well as local speakers such as Congressman Salud Carbajal, a veteran of the Marines, and several local veterans and current military members.
“I don’t need to tell you that we’re here to honor all the brave men and women who put our country before themselves, more often than not, voluntarily,” Carbajal said. “Today is not just a day for barbecuing.”
Carbajal discussed some of the work he has been doing in Congress, particularly in the House Armed Services Committee, to address veterans’ needs, including working to improve the Veterans Affairs phone system, provide transportation for rural and disabled veterans to receive medical care, and the bipartisan Home for the Brave Act to ensure veterans and their families have access to affordable housing.
“I am happy to report the House Committee on Veterans Affairs is doing more than just simply saying thank you and has passed 27 bills this Congress to support our nation’s veterans and ensure they have access to the care and benefits they earned,” Carbajal said.
Throughout the ceremony, several veterans were recognized for their service in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“In the Army, we define leadership as a process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation in order to accomplish the mission and improve the organization,” Lt. Col. Travis Buehner said. “We [celebrate Veterans Day] so we never forget the sacrifices our veterans made. We never forget the sacrifices their families made, and we take time to reflect on their amazing stories of service.”
The ceremony ended with a performance of “Taps” from buglers Howard Hudson and Bob Burtness.
Master of ceremonies Lt. John Blankenship reminded attendees that the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will be returning next year for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.
Donations to both organizations were also accepted in empty ammo cans set up throughout the event area, as well as online on their websites, santabarbaravfwpost1649.com and pcvf.org.
— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
