Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — The Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation (PCVF) will host the 22nd annual Military Ball at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Saturday, November 3, and is pleased to welcome a special guest to deliver this year’s keynote to an expected audience of about 600 guests.
Attendees at the 2018 Military Ball will have an opportunity to hear from Four-star General Robin Rand, who served in the U.S Air Force for nearly 40 years before retiring this September.
General Rand joined the U.S. Air Force in 1974 and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1979. He was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic, U.S. Strategic Command, a command that provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. His position also made him responsible for the country’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, approximately one-third of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
General Rand completed more than 5,100 flying hours, including over 480 combat hours, and primarily flew the F-16, T-38, and T-37.
He is the recipient of numerous military honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal and Defense Superior Service Medal.
When asked about his most meaningful awards, General Rand was quick to point out that most of the recognition he’s received can be attributed to the commitment and dedication of the people he served with.
“Most of the awards I’ve gotten have been because of the team I’ve been on and are a reflection of everyone’s hard work. They gave me more credit than I deserved. It was being part of some teams that stand out. I spent 13 months in Iraq and those who were in Iraq, we gave what was called the Iraq Campaign Medal. So when I look back at all my awards, that Iraq Campaign Medal has a lot of significance, and it does because of the people, the men and women that I served with during a very, very difficult time. I take great pride in being part of that.”
General Rand also touched upon the importance of local veteran support groups like PCVF.
“This is really noble work. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that we have people who are willing to do this. Typically, what I’ve found about most veterans and their families is that they deflect a lot of credit to others and they are not ones who want to go around with a tin cup asking for handouts or favors. That the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation is doing this on your own volition is such a noble and gracious act, and on behalf of all the veterans out there, it’s very humbling and truly the reason why I want to be, in a very small way, a part of this.”
The Military Ball is a formal event where veterans, active duty military members, and other community members can connect and celebrate during a lively evening complete with a cocktail hour, three-course dinner, dancing, and “Excellence in Service” tributes to those who have selflessly served our country. Guests will also have a chance to bid on extraordinary historic artifacts among other items in a silent auction before the program begins.
To purchase tickets to the Military Ball, please call (805) 259-4394 or e-mail rsvp@pcvf.org. Tickets are $150 each.
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 www.pcvf.org or call (805) 259-4394.