As part of the Board of Supervisors commitment to honor extraordinary veterans, Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, on Aug. 27, will recognize the courageous military service of Army Paratrooper and Staff Sgt. Bindo Stasi Grasso, of Guadalupe, as county Veteran of the Month.
The public is invited to attend the meeting honoring Grasso, or to watch the Board of Supervisors meeting telecast. Honorary resolutions are presented near the start of the meeting at 9 a.m.
Hartmann’s resolution will highlight some of the brave and harrowing details of Grasso’s service including his participation as a paratrooper on D-Day and at the Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest and deadliest battles of World War II.
After completing his military service, Grasso returned to Santa Maria to raise a family and run a successful concrete business, contributing the fabric of the Santa Maria community.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to shine a light on the courageous contributions military veterans make in support of our basic freedoms,” Hartmann. said. “Service members like Staff Sgt. Grasso have a special place in our community and should be honored and revered for their service.”
Following is the text of the resolution honoring Grasso that will be read into the Board of Supervisors record:
Whereas, Santa Barbara County is home to more than 22,000 veterans; and
Whereas, those who have given the ultimate service to this nation by serving in its armed forces are deserving of recognition and gratitude by all Americans; and
Whereas, the Third District has the honor of recognizing Staff Sgt. Bindo Stasi Grasso of Guadalupe for his courageous service to our nation during World War II; and
Whereas, on the night of June 5, 1944, Staff Sgt. Grasso parachuted into France, landing in Nazi-occupied enemy territory in the early morning hours of D-Day, with a mission to establish radio beacons and to liberate the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise; and
Whereas, in addition to surviving D-Day, Staff Sgt. Grasso was stationed in Bastogne, Belgium in December 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, which was the largest and deadliest battle of WWII; and
Whereas, Staff Sgt. Grasso earned an Army Achievement Medal for his service, as well as the Good Conduct Medal, and WWII and European War Victory Medals; and
Whereas, after completing his service, Staff Sgt. Grasso moved to Santa Maria, to raise his family with his wife. His family includes two daughters, one son, 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren (so far); and
Whereas, more than half a century ago, Staff Sgt. Grasso started a highly successful concrete business in Santa Maria, contributing to the fabric of the Santa Maria community.
Therefore, let it be resolved that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors honors Staff Sgt. Bindo Stasi Grasso as the August Veteran of the Month for his service in our armed forces followed by his service to our community.
Passed and adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County, State of California, this 27th day of August 2019, by unanimous vote of all members present.
—Alma Hernandez for Supervisor Joan Hartmann.