Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation held their second Annual Salute to the Vets in Santa Ynez at the Maverick Saloon last Saturday. The event brought in hundreds of supporters. 

It was preceded at 11am with a parade up Sagunto Street in Santa Ynez coupled with a flyover directly over the parade by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Officers Black Hawk helicopter. It turned on its siren which brought a roar from the crowd. The Black Hawk is used for rescues as well as fighting fires. Al Salge, a Lt. Colonel, who also oversees the Solvang Memorial building and veteran activities in the Valley, served as Grand Marshal.

Around noon, the Santa Ynez Jazz Band played three patriotic songs to kick things off. That was followed by Art Kaslow, a Colonel who served 33 years in the US Army. He offered a short speech with words of appreciation and support of our veterans. Art presented a check for $2,500 from the Santa Ynez Valley Opportunity Shop to Henry Schulte, founder of the SBCVF. Fred Cota stepped on the stage and presented another check to Henry in the amount of $1,000 from the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, No. 613. 

Henry said, “This is what it’s all about. The community coming together supporting our local veterans. I don’t have the words for such great support”

Jerry Farmer, president of the SBCVF thanked all those who made the event possible. “An event like this takes a lot of people and the Valley showed us what community is all about. We thank you.”

Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation had held eight previous events pre-Covid at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Like all organizations no event took place in 2020. Last year Jerry Farmer suggested as a last-minute thought to consider holding the event in the Valley so he could put on a parade. With State Street closed it was decided to give it a try and it worked. This year’s event over shadowed last year and plans are already under way to make it even bigger and better in 2023.

A number of local veteran organizations were present who loved the opportunity to make people aware of who they are and what they do. The Maverick saloon provided food and drink and the atmosphere was very festive filled with lots of smiles, hugs and handshakes. 

A pin-up contest took place inside the Maverick and the first, second and third place winners were announced around 2:30 as well as the winner of the hand-made flag quilt, made by Dundie Schulte.

Money raised from the event allowed the Santa Barbara Veterans Foundation to donation over $7,000 to local veterans causes. “Jerry Farmer said, “We’re not a big organization and we’re not just about the money but keeping an awareness of local veterans is equally as important to us.”

The afternoon rocked to the sounds of the Molly Ringwald Project and people danced away until 4:30 when the event concluded.