For many years, the annual Veterans Day ceremony has been held at the Santa Maria Cemetery under the direction of Michael Stadnick Jr., commander of the Santa Maria Valley Veteran Honor Guard, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2521 (originally Santa MariaMcGinley Brothers Post).
This year, the Chamber of Commerce and city of Santa Maria are joining forces with them and holding the Veterans Day ceremony at the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial, 600 S. McClelland, Santa Maria, 11 a.m. Nov. 11.
The event will honor all veterans and pay special tribute to the 113 Santa Maria Valley veterans who died in conflicts from World War I through the latest wars on terrorism. This includes veterans from Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Orcutt, Sisquoc, and throughout the Santa Maria Valley.
The service members names are listed on plaques and memorials throughout the Freedom Monument area in front of the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center in Santa Maria.
Any organization, business, or individual wishing to present a wreath during the ceremony is welcome to do so. Simply bring your wreath to the ceremony.
For more, contact the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, 805-925-2403.