Santa Barbara is preparing to gather at the local cemetery this coming Tuesday to honor those who served in the United States military.
The Veterans Day Ceremony, hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, is scheduled for November 11th at 11:00 a.m.
According to a release from the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, the event will take place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery located at 901 Channel Drive. This year’s proceedings will feature a specific focus on the nation’s military reserves, highlighting the vital role these service members play in national defense.
The ceremony is designed as an open-air event held near the cemetery’s main flagpole. While the organizers have prepared seating for up to 600 attendees, with additional standing room and parking available for those arriving in larger numbers.
Musical and ceremonial performances will anchor the morning. The lineup includes the UCSB Color Guard, the Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band, and the Santa Barbara Choral Society. David Gonzales and The Prime Time Band are also set to perform, alongside presentations by Bernard “Barney” Melekian.
The program is expected to reach a crescendo with a flyover. The San Diego Salute flying formation team will provide a patriotic display using classic aircraft.
This year’s event introduces a unique musical element. The ceremony will feature the first-ever performance of “The Veteran” by Barry De Vorzon. De Vorzon is a Grammy Award-winning composer known for his work on “Nadia’s Theme” and his connection to the region through his composition, “It’s Christmas Once Again in Santa Barbara.”
De Vorzon is an American songwriter, singer, record producer, and composer. He co-founded the Valiant Records recording studio and earned recognition as a film and television score composer, receiving a Grammy Award, an Academy Award nomination, and six Daytime Emmy Awards.
His composition “Nadia’s Theme” was released by A&M Records for the soap opera The Young and the Restless and reached No. 8 on the U.S. Top 40. The song received its title after ABC used the track during a montage of gymnast Nadia Comăneci at the 1976 Olympics.
Veterans Day, originally established as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, serves as a moment to recognize the bravery of men and women across all six branches of the U.S. armed forces.
The VFW Post 1649 operates with a mandate to foster camaraderie among veterans of overseas conflicts and to advocate for their needs. Their work focuses on the fraternal and charitable aspects of military life, ensuring that the history of those who served is not lost to time.
The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation complements this by supporting active duty members and veterans within Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Funded entirely by private donations, the foundation operates under the guiding principle that those who have served should be “Never Forgotten.”
Local residents planning to attend should note a few logistical requirements for the morning:
- The ceremony begins promptly at 11:00 a.m.
- Bicycles and e-bikes are not permitted at the venue.
- Attendees requiring specialized handicapped parking are encouraged to arrive early.
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