KIDS KALEIDOSCOPE . . . PIERRE CLAEYSSENS 4TH OF JULY IN SANTA BARBARA Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Spotlights Generational Importance of Teaching Love of Country
LT. John Blankenship, USN (former) By Bonnie Carroll Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Celebration of Our Country’s Independence was a Free, Live Event on Sunday, the 4th 2021 at the Santa Barbara Cemetery and marked the non-profit’s first live community event since November 2019, featuring an honor guard; the Gold Coast Pipe Band; Keynote Speaker Navy Captain Charlie Plumb, USNR, (Ret.) - an F-4 Phantom jet fighter pilot, six-year prisoner of war; Vietnam veteran and popular motivation expert; speaker Col. Rob Long, the new Commander of Space Launch Delta 30 at United States Space Force; and a spectacular flyover! 
Presenting the Colors ~ Vandenberg Air Force Base Honor Guard With the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) was pleased to present their first live, in-person, celebration since November 2019. On July 4th, from noon to 1:00 p.m., by inviting the community to attend a special Independence Day presentation outside on the grounds of the historic Santa Barbara Cemetery. 
PCVF Supporters at Santa Barbara Cemetary “We are thrilled to be able to resume our mission of acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our veterans - the guardians of our nation’s independence,” says PCVF co-founder Lt. John Blankenship (USN former). “What better way to do this than to gather with our friends, families and neighbors on the 4th of July. Our goal is to respectfully observe and celebrate this year’s very special Independence Day. It signifies the birth of our nation and return to a sense of normalcy now that California is “open for business”. We look forward to welcoming you and our many supporters to this patriotic event at one of the most peaceful and beautiful outdoor settings in the city of Santa Barbara.” 
Gold Coast Pipe Band Performers The event included performance by Gold Coast Pipe Band, an honor guard from Vandenberg Air Force Base, America the Beautiful(1).jpg) performed by David Gonzales, a retired Santa Barbara Police Sargent. Lt. Blankenship will provided the opening remarks followed by the keynote address featuring Navy Captain Charlie Plumb, USNR, (Ret.), an F-4 Phantom jet fighter pilot, six-year prisoner of war, Vietnam veteran and popular motivation expert. Special guest  speaker was Col. Robert A. Long, the new Commander of Space Launch Delta 30 at United States Space Force. The event concluded with a crowd favorite; a spectacular flyover in the skies above the venue presented by The Condor Squadron based in Van Nuys, CA. The organization’s mission is to “To Honor Military Aviation through Flight, Exhibition, and Remembrance.” Founded in 1965 by a group of WWII fighter pilots, The Condor Squadron is preserving a piece of aviation history that played an important part in securing the freedoms we cherish as a nation. They proudly fly WWII, North American AT-6 airplanes in formation over events commemorating veterans. 
The Condor Squadron Formation
PCVF events underscore the mission of the organization, which is, in the words of founder Pierre Claeyssens, “To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” For more information, visit the organization’s website at pcvf.org. If you would like to get involved or donate to ensure our local veterans are thanked, honored and supported all year long, contact us at media@pcvf.org. Navy Captain Charlie Plumb reminded the audience of the importance of loving our country and our flag by sharing a quote from President Ronald Reagan. 
About Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation is committed to honoring the men and women who have served in uniform at any time. PCVF does this by supporting veterans and active duty members, and related partner organizations, in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, as well as preserving military history and legacy. The Foundation works to uphold Pierre Claeyssens’s vision that those who have served are “Never Forgotten.” PCVF is funded entirely by private donations. For more information, visit pcvf.org or call (805) 259-4394. 
____________________________________________________________________ Old Spanish Days Santa Barbara Announces 2021 Fiesta Plans and Theme New Event Additions - Mercado will be open 2021! With historic parade carriages forming a picturesque backdrop, and flanked by members of the extended Old Spanish Days family, 2021 La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow revealed a full slate of Fiesta events for this coming year, sans parade and mercados, and announced the Fiesta 2021 theme “Honoring our Generations.” Fiesta Pequeña, Noches de Ronda, Arts and Crafts Show, Rodeo, and a handful of traditional parties will be all part of Fiesta 2021, and all of the planning that has taken place includes the most current guidelines and protocols. Attendance and event size will be smaller to assure community safety, but Fiesta is returning. “This is a great moment for Fiesta as we continue to move out of the recent restrictions,” said La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow. “For months, and even a full year, so many have worked so hard and in a creative way, to bring as much Fiesta to our community this year as possible. “Fiesta means so much to everyone in our community, and it continues to be a strong economic boast for local businesses. Fiesta is tradition, history and culture. It includes everything that makes this community so special.” In announcing the Fiesta 2021 theme, “Honoring our Generations,” La Presidenta Petlow said: “We are all where we are because of those who came before us and the paths they paved. It is our duty to make sure we pave positive paths for future generations. This year we celebrate all of the generations in our family, not just our own families, but the Santa Barbara families that have contributed to the beautiful foundation of the Fiesta spirit and continue to carry it on.” In walking through the list of Fiesta events confirmed for 2021, La Primera Vice Presidente Maria Cabrera looked to the future in her comments to the attendees. “When the City and County of Santa Barbara give us the go ahead, Old Spanish Days Fiesta is poised and ready to bring our historic parade up State Street again and to return the popular Mercados to both Plaza De La Guerra and Mackenzie Park,” said Cabrera. “The historic parade is such an important part of our community. Generations of families have enjoyed this equestrian parade. It represents so many aspects of our community, and we look forward to seeing this traditional, historic and long-time event move up State Street again.” Between now and August, more Fiesta events will be announced. Visit: www.oldspanishdays.org for additional date and event information ____________________________________________________________________ DISNEYLAND PARIS - Opening Fun!
Disneyland Paris announced it will reopen on June 17, 2021 and it did with tons of fan fare and sparkle, along with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, and Disney Village were delighted following the cosure in March 2020. - Disneyland Paris closed last March in 2020 when the pandemic hit, reopened in July and then closed once again in October.
- It had originally planned to reopen in February of this year but then announced a reopening date of April 2 which was once again tabled.
- All visitors aged 6 years and over, cast members, and service providers are required to wear a mask.
The reopening of Disneyland Paris will follow enhanced health and safety measures. In order to respect the physical distancing recommended by health authorities, a limited number of entrances to Disney parks are available each day. Additionally, all visitors aged 6 years and over, cast members, and service providers are required to wear a mask. At Disneyland Paris, in line with guidance from the French government and health authorities, physical distancing will be implemented throughout the resort in queues, ride vehicles, shops, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities, and signage will be displayed as a reminder. The France park is asking its guests to participate in a voluntary self-health screening prior to a visit to Disneyland Paris. Details of this self-screening include the following. By visiting Disneyland Paris, guests are guaranteeing that they are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, including fever (above 38 degrees Celsius) or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. ___________________________________________________________________
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