Memorial Day Ceremony to honor fallen heroes with 150 doves in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For centuries, doves have flown the earth symbolizing peace, love and purity.

"And when you see them flying above, they really bring healing I think to peoples souls," said co-owner Erin Carpenter of FLOCK White Dove Release.

For the first time, doves will be released at this year's Memorial Day Ceremony in Santa Barbara.

"Going to be a little over 100 pure white doves … they will come out at a very special moment during the ceremony ... so grateful to play a role," said co-owner Daniel Carpenter of FLOCK White Dove Release.

The doves have been trained by the Carpenter family of five in Goleta for years.

"Great job in collecting all the birds gathering and making sure they’re clean and tidy, and he put them in their crates," said Erin Carpenter.

"They have that internal compass in their mind and they know where they’re fed at our house so they’ll fly back," said assistant Olivia Carpenter of FLOCK White Dove Release.

“A flock of white doves … during the national anthem and the spectacle of that is incredible," said veteran John Blankenship.

Blankenship believes Memorial Day is the most important holiday of the year.

"It’s really a remembrance tribute to those who who gave their lives for our country," said Blankenship.

Organizers of this year's Memorial Day Ceremony are projecting more than 1,000 people who will come to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“Hope that they would take an hour out of their day instead of going to whatever sale is going on or barbecue … and come here and think about what these men here did," said Blankenship.

"We get to have all of our freedoms because of their sacrifices, so we’re just hoping to put a smile and bring joy," said Daniel Carpenter.

members of the Veterans Foundation and local partners have already placed hundreds of flags across the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

As for the doves, they are ready to spread peace to the community on this Memorial Day. 

The open air ceremony will include the UCSB ROTC Color Guard; Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band; David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, The Prime Time Band, and a flyover by The Condor Squadron.

To learn more, visit https://www.pcvf.org/memorial-day-ceremony

This free event is on Monday, May 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Cemetery  (901 Channel Drive., Santa Barbara, CA 93108).