Santa Maria Pauses To Celebrate Memorial Day With Multiple Events
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Several Memorial Day events took place up and down the coast, including one at the Santa Maria Cemetary.
The holiday acknowledges any soldier of the us armed forces who died in service to the nation.
“The importance of Memorial Day is that we recognize those that gave their all and sacrificed their lives for the freedom that we have today,” says Col. James T. Horne III, commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Multiple ceremonies were held on Monday morning, and Colonel Horne spoke at the event held at Santa Maria Cemetery.
“It's very important that we pause for a moment, reflect on their service, reflect on the families that today still mourn the loss of the men and women that have served for our country and remember their their sacrifice,” the colonel says.
Attendees and organizers share deep connections with soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“My dad and my grandfather were in the service,” says Santa Maria Elks Lodge’s Steve Reyburn. “My uncle was a 20 year veteran. And my aunt's brother was M.I.A. and never was found. So it, you know, hits home a little bit.”
The colonel presented a certificate of special recognition to 102-year-old veteran Lucille Manson, who served in World War II and she’s also the mother of Orcutt’s well known Chef Rick.
“She served her country in Europe, and then later served her country as the spouse of her husband who served in the Marine Corps for a career, and raised their four children.
Additional ceremonies were held all over the Central Coast, including a pause of pre-rodeo operations to mark the holiday at the Elks Rodeo Grounds.
“I appreciate all veterans and their families for all that they've sacrificed,” says Reyburn. “And, thank God for them. That's why we have the freedoms that we have today.”
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