SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A ceremony to honor the 30th Space Wing and Vandenberg Air Force Base is scheduled for Friday, December 7th in Santa Maria. The Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce will dedicate the 30th Space Wing Monument at the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial in front of the Abel Maldonado Youth Center. The monument honors all local veterans and includes the names of nearly 100 Santa Maria area veterans who have died in various wars and conflicts. The ceremony, which the public is invited to attend, will start at 10:00am. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors. For more information, please see story below.
Story provided by Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor& Convention Bureau
FREEDOM MONUMENT CEREMONY TO HONOR THE 30TH SPACE WING AND VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce will be dedicating the 30th Space Wing Monument at the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial on Friday, December 7th, 2012. The public is invited to attend this ceremony which will take place at 10:00am at 600 S. McClelland Street in Santa Maria. The Freedom Monument is located in front of the Abel Maldonado Youth Center and honors all local Veterans who have served, including the names of 97 Santa Maria Veterans who died in conflicts from World War II through the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In case of rain, the event will be held inside the youth center.
Representing the 30th Space Wing and Vandenberg Air Force Base will be Col. P. Brent McArthur, 30th Space Wing Vice Commander. The keynote address will be delivered by Robert Hatch, the President and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran.
Ceremonial comments will be made by Santa Maria Mayor, Larry Lavagnino, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor, Doreen Farr, and Santa Barbara County 5th District Supervisor, Steve Lavagnino.
The 30th Space Wing Monument is a 5ft tall obelisk with a plaque attached, and will be located next to the Dan Johnson Memorial, who was killed in the line of duty while deployed to Afghanistan from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2010. In the same area is the War on Terrorism Memorial, which honors 5 Santa Maria Veterans who have died in recent conflicts.
"It is important to recognize the contributions of the 30th Space Wing and Vandenberg Air Force Base to our city and our region," said Bob Hatch, President and CEO of the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce. "The men and women who serve and support the mission at Vandenberg are on the leading edge of defending our nation and our forces on the ground around the world, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq. The base has provided employment and unwavering support for our community for many years. It is only fitting that we honor this long standing partnership and reaffirm our commitment and appreciation to their mission and their dedication to defending our freedom."
The Chamber of Commerce designed and built the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 2001. Since then, there have been plaques and memorials added each year on December 7th. For more information contact the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce at (805) 925-2403 ext 817 or 825. Or e-mail to edc@santamaria.com .
