Hundreds of veterans and their families filled the Santa Maria Fairpark on Saturday for the annual Veterans Stand Down, a day devoted to free resources, hot meals and camaraderie among those who have served.

Upbeat music played near the entrance as volunteers greeted arrivals with smiles, coffee and tote bags filled with essentials. Inside, booths offered everything from haircuts and jackets to housing support and medical care. The air was filled with a steady rhythm of conversation, laughter, and gratitude, reflecting Santa Maria’s strong veteran community.

Among the attendees was David Zepeda, a Santa Maria native, 21-year Army veteran, and Purple Heart recipient. Now a case manager with Hammock, Zepeda said he and his wife, Beth, have made the Stand Down an annual family tradition, on

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