Those who served share their hope ahead of Veterans Day in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Preparations for the Santa Barbara community Veterans Day Ceremony this weekend are underway.
“We celebrate Veterans Day using the Santa Barbara choral society the Primetime band the Gold Coast pipe band," said founder John Blankenship of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation.
Veteran Omar Flores who served as a sergeant in the marine corpse is proud of his service to our country.
"I mean, it’s just take me who I am today and he showed me discipline you know and it just also gave me appreciation of what I have and what I had and what would be of a country we live in," said Flores.
Hosted by THE Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, The veteran is looking forward to Honoring all men and women in uniform this weekend.
"People that actually leave the comfort of your home and leave your families you know home cooked meals for cause that’s bigger than them you know I think they should be recognized. I feel like it’s a selfless act and anyone that puts their life on the line for their country should be honored," said Flores.
Organizers are projecting about 1,500 guests to attend this year’s ceremony.
"It’s a concern for all of us that we have young people who want to serve our country and so we honor the new commissioning ROTC cadets that are going to UCSB right now," said Blankenship.
Flores hopes those planning to attend the ceremony will take time to meet with the veterans.
"And get to know our stories .. when I was a kid I looked at veterans and I didn’t know what they went through and I wish people would come up to me even know to get to know my story and what we went through," said FLores.
The ceremony will take place near the main flagpole, with seating available for up to 500, with additional standing room.
The open air ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m. with presentations and performances by the UCSB Color Guard; Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band; David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, The Prime Time Band, keynote speaker, Rear Admiral John Weigold U.S. NAVY retired, local guest speakers; and a flyover by The Condor Squadron.
The ceremony will take place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive.
