As the morning sun broke through the clouds, the voices of children singing rose over the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial in Santa Maria, where the Young Voices of Santa Maria Youth Choir welcomed guests to Tuesday’s Veterans Day ceremony.

The annual event, organized by the City of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, marked its 24th year honoring the region’s service members. Veterans, civic leaders and families gathered at 600 S. McClelland St. for a program that blended remembrance with a call to action.

“It remains up to all of us to close no books, write no last chapters, and reach no final conclusions on the lives of millions of living veterans and the nearly 1 million who gave their lives to keep us free,” said Robert Hatch, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

Hatch, who co-founded the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial in 2001, shared the story of Doris Walker, a local mother whose son, James, was killed during his first month in Vietnam.

“She was resolute in her belief that James’ ultimate sacrifice would be forgotten,” Hatch said.

It was the belief that her son’s memory had already faded, he said, that ultimately moved him to help create the monument, which now bears the names of 113 Santa Maria Valley veterans who died in conflicts from World War I through the wars on terrorism, including James Walker.

“The Freedom Monument has ensured that a grateful nation and a proud community have served as a beacon to those who need a reminder from time to time that those who are listed on the plaques behind us will never be forgotten,” he said.

That message of remembrance carried into a broader call for support from Robert Tolan Jr., a U.S. Army veteran who serves as Military Affairs chairman for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“Our military heroes are suffering from PTSD every day. Maybe they’re living on the streets trying to find homes. They need food. Maybe they don’t have the money to buy Christmas dinner or gifts for their kids,” he said.

Tolan said local organizations such as Disabled American Veterans and Honor Flight Central Coast work to provide support, but often lack volunteers.

“We do struggle with volunteers, and we need help to continue all of our missions every single day,” he said. “So, not asking for money, just asking for some man hours.”

Tolan acknowledged the many veterans who attend ceremonies quietly, without fanfare or uniform, and said their presence is deeply appreciated. He urged the crowd to think beyond the day’s formalities and consider how their support could continue after the ceremony ended.

“What about tomorrow? What about January, March?” Tolan said. “We’re all here honoring our men and women, supporting them today, but what about all the other days throughout the year?”

Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino also spoke during the ceremony, reflecting on her own family’s military background and the responsibility that civilians share in protecting the freedoms that veterans fought to preserve.

“The defense of freedom is not just for those in the military,” she said. “It’s for us, too. We have to be responsible, and we have to share that effort.”

Patino encouraged the community to act on those values by voting, volunteering and supporting causes that serve veterans and families in need.

“We need to honor these men and women by living American values by giving to our community,” she said.

Aiden Vibal, an eighth-grader at St. Mary’s who won the school’s Veterans Day essay contest, read his piece during the ceremony. 

“Military members do not run away from dangers and challenges. They fight to defend our country,” he said.

Vibal, whose father, Lt. Col. Ludell Vibal, serves at Vandenberg Space Force Base, spoke about applying military values such as courage and commitment to everyday life.

“There are numerous lessons you can learn from veterans,” he said. “All of us can take their stories of perseverance and use it to try and overcome any challenges we face in our lives.”

The day’s youngest speaker offered a reminder that gratitude doesn’t belong to any one generation.

“All veterans deserve our appreciation and respect, because when they enlisted or commissioned, they were committed to our country and freedom,” Vibal said.

The ceremony concluded with a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” echoing through the memorial plaza.