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Freedom isn’t free Keynote speakers for Pierre Claeyssens event remember ultimate sacrifices By GRAYCE MCCORMICK
1 p.m. today at the cemetery, 901 Channel Drive. For Capt. Plumb, today is one of the most important days of his life. “It’s always an important day in my life, and there are so many important days in my life — like the day I was set free out of prison and regained my freedoms, and that’s the 18th of February, of course, which is my wife’s birthday, so I can always remember that,” Capt. Plumb told the News-Press, chuckling. “Veterans Day, of course; Memorial Day; Fourth of July — those are all good days on my calendar and reasons why I get in a hot shower and come out very thankful for freedom.” The Kansas native graduated from the Naval Academy and completed Navy Flight Training before reporting to Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, where he flew the first adversarial flights in the development of what was soon called The Navy Fighter Weapons School, now known as “TOPGUN.” The captain’s squadron, the Aardvarks, launched on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk with Fighter Squadron 114 to fly the Navy’s hottest airplane, the F-4 Phantom Jet. Capt. Plumb (code named “Plumber”) flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam and made more than 100 carrier landings. Please see FOURTH on A2
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
After spending more than 2,000 days as a prisoner of war, Capt. Charlie Plumb can talk a bit about freedom. The F-4 Phantom jet fighter pilot will do just that today at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, where the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will feature him as a keynote speaker during its Fourth of July celebration. The outdoor event will take place from noon to
MORE FOURTH OF JULY COVERAGE • Parades are back in Solvang and Montecito. And a Fourth of July celebration will feature speakers in downtown Isla Vista. Stories, A2. • Veteran combat medic dedicates his life to service. B1. • Writers wish the United States a happy 245th birthday. See the Voices section in today’s NewsPress. • See Monday’s NewsPress for coverage of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation celebration and fireworks at Santa Barbara’s West Beach.
Home of the Dons Renovated Peabody Stadium officially opens at Santa Barbara High
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
A dedication ceremony was held Saturday for the recently renovated Peabody Stadium at Santa Barbara High School.
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
A giddy crowd of alumni, current students and faculty donning green and gold attire gathered at Santa Barbara High on Saturday evening to celebrate the dedication of the newly renovated Peabody Stadium. The brand new, state-of-theart stadium includes a track, turf field, grand stands and football tunnel, as well as new plazas honoring Santa Barbara alumni and local organizations who contributed to the project. The stadium was officially completed in 2020 after about two years of renovation, but COVID-19 restrictions postponed the dedication ceremony until
COURTESY PHOTO
Capt. Charlie Plumb, a former Navy fighter pilot and prisoner of war for six years, will speak today at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, where the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation will feature him as a keynote speaker in its Fourth of July Celebration.
Officials promote firework safety By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
With Fourth of July fireworks making a comeback today, officials are reminding Santa Barbara County residents that “safe and sane” fireworks are allowed in particular parts of the county and outlawed in others. All fireworks, including the safe and sane type, are illegal in all unincorporated areas and the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton and Solvang. The safe and sane variety of fireworks can be purchased and discharged only in Santa Maria, Guadalupe and Lompoc. In addition to these areas, fireworks are also prohibited in Los Padres National Forest at all times of the year. The Santa Barbara County Fire
Department is reminding the public that the safest way to view fireworks is at displays conducted by professional pyrotechnics. Locals can enjoy firework shows this evening in Santa Barbara at 9 p.m. on West Beach or during Lompoc’s “Fourth of July Spectacular” at Ryon Memorial Park (800 W Ocean Ave.). The gates open at 5 p.m. in Lompoc, and the fireworks show begins at dusk. County residents interested in purchasing fireworks can do so through 9 tonight in Lompoc. Two nonprofits, the Lompoc Employee Development Association and the First Apostolic Church, will be selling fireworks outside two Lompoc locations: Planet Fitness (1009 N. H St.) and Walmart (701 W. Central Ave.). Please see FIREWORKS on A2
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Among the facility’s features is the Peter & Gerd Jordano Donor Plaza.
Saturday. Dozens of alumni attended Saturday’s dedication ceremony, including former NFL player Randall Cunningham, who graduated from Santa Barbara High in 1981 and went on to have a 16-year career in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. The brand new track inside the stadium has been named the Cunningham Track in honor of Randall and his brothers — Sam, Anthony and Bruce — who excelled in football and track during their years at Santa Barbara High. As he stood in the new stadium, Mr. Cunningham told the NewsPress that it brought back fond high school memories. “The people behind it (the stadium) did an excellent job,” Mr. Cunningham told the News-Press. “It’s such an honor to be here today. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It’s beautiful.” “It makes me want to go play,” he added. During the dedication ceremony, various members of the Santa Barbara Unified school board and administration spoke, as well as Greg Tebbe, the president of the Foundation for Santa Barbara High School. Mr. Tebbe has been part of the renovation of the stadium since planning began in 2012. Standing in the completed stadium, Mr. Tebbe reflected on the long-term impact this new facility will have on students in years to come. “This project benefits every child in our school, as well as our entire community,” Mr. Tebbe told the audience Saturday. “It’s not just about athletics. It’s about all the kids who pass through here and learn valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, integrity and commitment.” “This has got to be one of the most impressive track, field and Please see PEABODY on A8
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Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 4-9-21-33-40 Mega: 16
Saturday’s DAILY 4: 3-3-4-7
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 8-31-32-34-45 Mega: 19
Saturday’s FANTASY 5: 6-12-13-27-31
Saturday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-03-04 Time: 1:48.49
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 2-6-40-41-55-65 Meganumber: 24
Saturday’s DAILY 3: 2-6-6 / Midday 4-4-6