Speakers remind audience gathered at Veterans Hall of the real meaning of the three-day weekend
While a three-day weekend in May was celebrated and enjoyed by folks all over the Santa Ynez Valley, speakers and participants gathered at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall on Monday, May 26 — Memorial Day — to remind the Valley what the day really meant.
The annual Memorial Day Ceremony that started at noon at the hall was the culmination of a whole weekend of activities to celebrate those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.
“Today we honor all veterans who gave their lives in service to our great nation,” said Jeffrey Willis, commander of VFW Post 7139, former U.S. Marine sergeant, and emcee of the ceremony. “These are the real heroes of America. The Americans we honor today are not exclusive to any gender, race, or religion.
“We are gathered today so that we can remember their sacrifices and celebrate the fact that throughout our history, this great country produces such men and women of honor. We will not forget them.”
At the beginning of the ceremony, everyone came outside to see the raising of the American flag, done by Scout Troop 41 members Ronna Gundry (Scout leader), Quinn Tiffany, Spencer Snodgrass, and Zaden Sherieff. VFW Post 7139 member Chris Neilsen placed the wreath in memory of veterans who died in war, the American Legion Post 160 Honor Guard did a gunfire salute, and bugler Michael Roberts played taps.
An added bonus to the ceremony was a flyover during the flag-raising and wreath laying, courtesy of Jerry Long of the Santa Ynez Airport.
Once inside, the audience listened to speakers Lt. Col. Jeremiah Alefosio, 30th Logistic Readiness Squadron Commander at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth Spaar, a Solvang resident. Both reiterated the importance of remembering those who died in battle, and reminded the audience that many of those are servicemembers who served voluntarily, not because they were drafted.
Also, on hand to provide musical performances were the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, led by Kay Dominguez, and the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, directed by Hyejin Jung.
In fact, a touching moment occurred during the Chorale’s final number “God Bless America,” when Jung, while leading her singers, suddenly turned around to face the audience members and starting directing to stand up and sing along with them. Most complied, bringing the song to a rousing finish.
“We came up with the idea a few days ago,” Jung said after the ceremony. “We just thought it would be so great to have everyone join in for this song.”
After the ceremony, the audience members and participants were treated to a tri-tip sandwich lunch barbecued by members of the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge, and served by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The ceremony was culmination of a weekend full of activities honoring fallen veterans. On Saturday, May 24, volunteers, in conjunction with he American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 7139, placed American flags on veterans’ graves at the Mission Santa Ines, Chalk Hill, Oak Hill, and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley cemeteries.
Also, VFW Post 7139 members handed out Red Buddy Poppies at the front of Albertsons in Buellton on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Red Poppies were first distributed after World War I to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who perished in that war.
And before the Memorial Day on Monday, the American Legion Post 160 stopped off at all the local cemeteries to conduct short ceremonies.
