WWII war hero memorial will be held Saturday morning

Guadalupe WWII veteran and the last surviving Pathfinder Paratrooper Bindo Grasso will be laid to rest on Saturday.

A memorial will be held for World War II hero at the American Legion Hall on Guadalupe St and HWY 1 at 10am.

“History books are written by people like my grandfather,” said Bindo Grasso’s granddaughter Stacy Moody.

Grasso was one of three American paratroopers who dropped behind enemy lines on the night before D-Day.

“It’s our duty to pay respects of those before us. Because without them, we would never have the service that we have,” said Band of Brothers CEO Steve Baird.

Grasso passed in late September, but KCOY News Channel 12 got a rare interview with him before that.

“I jumped the night before D-day. A lot of people asked me weren’t you scared? I guess I was but with all the excitement and my age, with everybody doing it I wasn’t going to go back out,” remembered Grasso.

He will be honored Saturday with an escort comprised of several veteran groups.
The Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders, as well as the Band of Brothers non-profit, will be among those honoring him.

“Bindo is special to us his granddaughter and his great-grandson both play in Band of Brother’s so it’s been a generational thing with us,” said Baird.

The escort will meet at 8:30 am at Spencer’s Fresh Market in Orcutt departing at 9am.
The procession will then head down Skyway Lane on to Main St and then on to the American Legion Hall on Guadalupe St and HWY 1.

For residents who want to salute and honor Grasso, the family says to line up long HWY1 and Guadalupe St around 9:30am.

Welcome Home Military Heros will be holding a flag line salute at the memorial at 10am.

Grasso has received numerous awards and medals for his service.
He is credited with helping build many of the structures in Santa Maria through his construction company.

KEYT 2019