SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Santa Maria Valley marked Veterans Day Wednesday with a special ceremony honoring local service members who made the ultimate sacrifice, including the dedication of a new memorial plaque recognizing a Santa Maria soldier killed during the Vietnam War.
The 25th annual Veterans Day and Wreath Ceremony took place beginning at 10 a.m. at the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial, located in front of the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center.
This year's ceremony honored Corporal Kenneth S. Adams, a Santa Maria High School graduate who was killed in combat at age 22 on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1967.
According to organizers, Corporal Adams served in the U.S. Army with 2nd Platoon, D Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.
He was among four soldiers killed during the Battle for Hill 63 in Vietnam after U.S. forces came under heavy enemy fire.
His new plaque will be placed near the memorial's existing Vietnam War tribute and will bring the number of fallen Santa Maria Valley service members honored at the monument to 114.Established in 2001, the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial honors local military personnel who died serving their country, dating back to World War I.
Wednesday's program included remarks from Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino, Santa Maria Valley Chamber President Michael Boyer and a U.S. Space Force representative from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Memorial co-founder Robert Hatch delivered the keynote address, with fellow co-founder Dave Cross serving as master of ceremonies.
Students from St. Mary of the Assumption School read the names of all 114 fallen service members, continuing a tradition of involving young people in the annual tribute.
The Young Voices of Santa Maria Youth Choir also performed before the ceremony, which concluded with a wreath presentation.
The event was co-sponsored by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, City of Santa Maria, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2521 and Santa Maria Valley Veteran Honor Guard.
Organizers said the 10 a.m. start time was earlier than in previous years to allow attendees to take part in other Veterans Day activities throughout the area.
Santa Maria-based attorney Michael B. Clayton was set to hold his annual Veteran's Day free barbecue and flag ceremony at Santa Maria Veteran's Memorial Hall.
Now in its 26th year, the four-hour event will provide free meals for all veterans and active-duty military members and their families.
For non-military members, meals will cost $10, with proceeds donated to Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship.
The organization describes itself as a program that helps local veterans rediscover their sense of purpose, build confidence, and gain valuable career skills through vocational horsemanship education.
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