Advice with Robert Tolan

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Advice with Robert Tolan From the Battlefields of Afghanistan to the Vineyards of the Sta. From the battlefields of Afghanistan to the vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills.
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Rita Hills

Founder of From War to Wine | Veteran Nonprofit Founder | Santa Barbara County Veteran Commissioner I'm Robert Tolan, an Army combat veteran who found a second calling in wine country. Today I welcome guests to 628 acres of prime Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country for tastings, vineyard tours, and private estate experiences. Service never left me. I serve as Vice Chairman of the Santa Barbara County Veterans Service Commission, co founded Welcome Home Military Heroes, serve as Vice Chairman of Honor Flight Central Coast, and have helped raise over $200,000 for Central Coast veterans. Three time Local Businessperson of the Year, 2023 through 2025, and 2024 Community Member of the Year. Follow along for wine country life, community events, my writings, and saluting those who served.

What an honor.My grandfather, my dad, and myself, all recognized together on the National Military Monument in Washingto...
09/20/2026

What an honor.

My grandfather, my dad, and myself, all recognized together on the National Military Monument in Washington D.C.

James (Grandfather): Air Force, 1950s
Tracy (Dad): Navy, 1980s
Robert (myself): Army, 2010s

09/18/2026

Last night, hundreds of you showed up at Santa Maria Airport to welcome home our local Military Heroes, and we cannot thank you enough.

Even with a delayed flight pushing the night later and later, you stayed. You waited. You didn't leave. That says everything about this community and how deeply we honor those who served.

To everyone who came out, brought signs, waved flags, and gave these heroes the welcome home they deserved: thank you. This is what love for our veterans looks like. 🇺🇸

Welcome Home Heroes!

09/17/2026

Update: WHEELS UP 🛫

SEE YOU AT THE AIRPORT! If you have any questions you can look for me, Cheryl Tolan I will be the lady with the black bling baseball cap, red welcome home shirt and a clipboard 😀

Good news, mechanics have cleared the plane! Our Heroes should be taking off soon, with a new expected landing time of 8:48 PM.
Please keep in mind it takes about 45 minutes to get everyone off the plane before they walk out to the welcome home event, so plan your arrival accordingly.
For the latest updates, call our hotline: 805-242-0536.
See you all soon! 🇺🇸

09/17/2026

Update: Our Heroes are loaded up and ready to go, but the pilot just informed them there's a mechanical issue. They're waiting on the plane for a mechanic now.

We'll share more as soon as we know more. For the latest updates, call our hotline: 805-242-0536.

Thank you for your patience, our heroes are in good hands.

09/17/2026

Update: Our Heroes are boarding now! ✈️🇺🇸
We'll have a more precise timeline once everyone's loaded up, but as of right now we're looking at a 7:42 PM arrival.
For the latest updates, call our hotline: 805-242-0536.
Stay tuned, we'll keep you posted!

Our entire Mission #25 group, veterans, guardians, and volunteers, gathered at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington N...
09/17/2026

Our entire Mission #25 group, veterans, guardians, and volunteers, gathered at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. Over 80 Korean and Vietnam Veterans from the Central Coast, standing together on hallowed ground, surrounded by the kind of history that puts everything into perspective.

Days like today remind me exactly why this work matters. These men gave their youth, their service, and in many cases pieces of themselves for this country. Getting to stand beside them here, at this place, is a privilege I will never take for granted.

Thank you to everyone who made this moment possible. 🇺🇸

After months of interviews, planning, and preparation, we are officially 24 hours out from Mission #25, wheels up to Wa...
09/14/2026

After months of interviews, planning, and preparation, we are officially 24 hours out from Mission #25, wheels up to Washington, D.C. with over 80 Korean and Vietnam Veterans.

I have the honor of serving as Assistant Trip Leader for this mission, and I'll also be leading Green Bus, one of the four buses that will carry our heroes through three unforgettable days in our nation's capital.

This trip carries a little extra weight for me. One of our founding board members will be flying this mission, not as a volunteer this time, but as the Veteran himself, finally receiving the honor he has spent years helping give to others. And my former boss from Peacock Cellars will be joining us as a guardian for her father, a Vietnam Veteran, as he takes his own Tour of Honor.

Moments like these are why this work matters so much to me. Getting to sit beside these men, hear their stories, and walk with them through the memorials built in their honor is a privilege I never take lightly.

Wheels up in 24 hours. Let's go honor some heroes. 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

Alright, "Advice with Robert Tolan" is flipping the script today because I need YOUR advice.

I've decided I want a pair of Meta Glasses, mostly so I can pretend I'm a secret agent while actually just trying to get better hands-free photos and video for the nonprofit. Problem is, I've stared at the options so long my eyes have started to cross (ironic, considering the whole "glasses" thing).

So if you own a pair, save me from myself. Which model do you have, and give it to me straight, what do you love, and what makes you want to throw them across the room?

Next week, our Military Heroes need you!!Over 85 Central Coast Military Heroes are coming home. They'll be completing th...
09/09/2026

Next week, our Military Heroes need you!!

Over 85 Central Coast Military Heroes are coming home. They'll be completing their Honor Flight, a trip to Washington D.C. to finally see the memorials built in their honor.

Here's what breaks our hearts: most of these heroes have never received a proper welcome home. When many of them came back decades ago, they were spit on. Told to take off their uniforms. Told to grow out their hair so they wouldn't be attacked, just for having served this country.

That ends next week.
We're asking our community to join us so these men and women finally get what they were owed all along, a homecoming filled with love, gratitude, and respect. Not decades late. But better late than never.
If you can't be there in person, please share this so others know it's happening. Every single person who shows up matters.

Let's show them who we are. Let's show them what they earned.

We hope to see you at Santa Maria Airport, Thursday, September 17 at 8:30 PM! 🇺🇸

09/05/2026

Update on Santa Barbara County Veteran Stand Down:

Many of us have been wondering about the future of the Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down, especially with County Supervisor Lavagnino not running for reelection. I wanted to share an update.
He reached out recently to let us know that after 16 years, he’s retiring at the end of this year, and he wanted to make sure we knew what’s next for Stand Down.

The good news? Stand Down isn’t going anywhere. Good Samaritan Shelter, a partner since day one, is stepping up to continue hosting the annual Veterans Stand Down starting in 2027. It may look a little different, but the mission stays the same: serving the veterans who served us.

Grateful to Supervisor Lavagnino for everything he’s poured into this program over the years, and to Sandy Agalos, whose behind the scenes work made Stand Down one of the best in the country.

And honestly, sometimes it’s good to take a year off, regroup, and come back even stronger for the veterans who depend on us.

Here’s to the next chapter. Our veterans deserve nothing less. 🇺🇸

If any veterans need assistance before next year’s event, please reach out to Welcome Home Military Heroes. We’re here for you.

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Arroyo Grande, CA

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