Honoring those who defended America
Our 167th Year
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Honoring the military and first responders Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation expands the scope of Memorial Day service at Santa Barbara Cemetery
Former Navy Lt. John Blankenship, seen with a military jeep outside his home in Montecito, said he and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation felt it was important to honor both military members and first responders during today’s Memorial Day service. “We felt like we’re all part of the same team. We just wear different uniforms.”
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
After his four years with the Army, Sgt. Charles Spencer knew he wanted to continue to protect and serve others. So the Ventura resident joined the Montecito Fire Protection District, where Sgt. Spencer is now Firefighter EMT Spencer. Different uniform, different rank. Same dedication. “It’s going to sound cheesy, but I wanted to help people, and people seem always to be happy when someone shows up in a fire truck,” Firefighter EMT Spencer told the News-Press Friday. “Especially after my time in the military, it seemed like a very natural transition,” said Mr. Spencer, who was stationed with the Army at Fort Drum in New York state. “The brotherhood, camaraderie, senses of humor, work ethic and attitudes are very similar (to the military).” And like soldiers, sailors and Marines, firefighters and police serve America. For that reason, the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation decided to honor both military members and first responders who sacrificed their lives for their country during this morning’s Memorial Day service at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.
The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. at the cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Montecito. Attending will be representatives of the Santa Barbara Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the Montecito Fire Protection District and the UCSB ROTC. U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, DSanta Barbara, who served in the Marines, and retired Marine Brigadier Gen. Fred Lopez of Santa Barbara will be the keynote speakers. One of the highlights will be a flyover by four T-6 Texan airplanes from the Van Nuysbased Condor Squadron. They will make four passes above the Santa Barbara Cemetery, and one of the passes will be the missing man formation to represent those who died during their service to America. The ceremony will also feature the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the Gold Coast Drum and Pipe Band, and singer David Gonzales’ rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “With all the patriotic music such as ‘America the Beautiful,’ Please see MEMORIAL on A6
DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Charles Spencer, a firefighter EMT with the Montecito Fire Protection District, is an Army veteran who’s glad both the military and first responders will be honored during today’s Memorial Day service at Santa Barbara Cemetery. Mr. Spencer is standing with fire engines from the Montecito district and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Memorial Day services to be held throughout the county By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Memorial Day ceremonies are taking place today throughout Santa Barbara County. The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will host its service for military members and first responders at 11 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive. Elsewhere, Drew Wakefield will be the keynote speaker at a Memorial Day service at 9 a.m. at the Goleta Cemetery, 44 S. San Antonio Road. Those attending are welcomed to bring a photo of a loved one who died serving their country. The Goleta ceremony will be presented by
AMVETS Santa Barbara Post 3 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1649.. And in Santa Maria, VFW Post 2521 will oversee a Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. at the Santa Maria Cemetery, 1501 S. College Drive. The speaker is Air Force Col. Kris E. Barcomb. In the Santa Ynez Valley, American Legion Post 160 will conduct several short ceremonies today. Those are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Chalk Hill Cemetery, 645 Chalk Hill Road, Solvang; 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Ines Mission Cemetery, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang; 11 a.m. at Oak HIll Cemetery, 2560 Baseline Ave., Solvang, and 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Cemetery, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.
The Memorial Day ceremonies in Solvang will conclude with a program at noon at the Solvang Memorial Veterans Hall, hosted by VFW 7139. The hall is located at 1745 Mission Drive. The program will feature the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and speakers from Vandenberg Space Force Base, American Legion Post 160 and a Boy Scouts chapter. Back on the South Coast, the Carpinteria Lions Club will lead a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Carpinteria Cemetery, 1501 Cravens Lane, Carpinteria. The ceremony will feature a Civil War cannon salute. email: dmason@newspress.com
Car show rolls into Santa Maria
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Classic cars are displayed during the West Coast Kustoms 41st Annual Cruisin’ Nationals car show at the Santa Maria Fairpark on Sunday. For more photos, see page A4.
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