Tinted morning sky above Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
Early this morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise, I arrived at the top of a mountain. It had been a long while since I visited the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
Located in La Jolla, north of downtown San Diego, Mount Soledad is a place of stunning views and great natural beauty. And a place filled with memory and feeling. Thousands are honored here for unselfishly serving their country.
Plaques on six concentric walls each remember an American hero, some who are living, many who’ve passed away into history. At the center rises a tall white memorial cross, erected in 1954 to honor Korean War veterans. The subject of controversy over many years, the cross will soon stand protected on private land. The National Defense Authorization Act for 2015 contains a provision that will convey the cross to the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial Association.
Like a mosaic, eternally shining black granite plaques cover the low, curving walls; they tell the diverse stories of uniformed members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, plus those who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. The walls will ultimately hold 3,200 names.
If you have a loved one who is serving, or who has served, you can purchase a plaque. Here is the memorial’s website.
Sun rising on eastern horizon illuminates top of concentric walls of the memorial.The cross is a landmark that can be seen for many miles in every direction. The flagpole is bare at this early hour.Early morning visitors to Mount Soledad take photos of the 29 foot high cross.Looking south over part of La Jolla toward Mission Bay and Point Loma. Downtown San Diego is visible on the far left.Beautiful yellow flowers, grass and benches are found about this mountaintop monument to all veterans.Gazing over curved walls containing memorial plaques toward the Pacific Ocean in morning light.Friendly gentleman keeping the Mt. Soledad Park clean is grateful to work up here surrounded by so much beauty.Photograph of the historic, controversial cross taken from its base.Plaque states the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross was dedicated in 1954 as a tribute to those who’ve served in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.Veteran volunteer prepares to proudly raise the American flag.The Stars and Stripes is carefully attached, ready to be lifted into the wide, blue sky.The volunteer momentarily lowered the flag to half-mast, to honor the fallen. He then raised it to the top and showed his respect.Plaque at base of flagpole.The friendly volunteer was happy to show me around the memorial.Names of donors on special bricks.Pointing out notable names and heroic exploits that shine on the walls.Photo plaques honor both living and deceased members of United States uniformed services.These memorialized vets served honorably in eras and conflicts throughout our nation’s history.Jeffrey Scott Taylor of U.S. Navy killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005.Plaque on Mt. Soledad honors and remembers prisoners of war, and those missing in action.Herman Henry Hanneken, Brigadier General of U.S. Marine Corps, served in many wars long ago.Famed band director Glenn Miller was a great morale builder during World War II.General “Black Jack” Pershing fought victoriously, from the late 19th century through World War I.Rear Admiral Thomas William McNamara has a plaque on Mount Soledad.U.S. Army Corporal Alfred W. Stewart helped liberate the Philippine Islands during WWII.Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Howard Manuel Gonzalez of the U.S. Navy is honored.Harry Herman Heimple was a highly decorated U.S. Air Force Colonel during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.San Diego local hero Jerry Coleman, a baseball legend who served with great patriotism in two wars.Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II.General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s plaque is added to a host of other plaques representing those who served with equal honor.Commander in Chief Harry S. Truman began his military career during World War I.Jack Kramer served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Second World War. He helped create modern professional tennis.The four Nicosia brothers fought in different military branches in several theaters of war.Famed Army General George S. Patton is remembered for his storied service to our country.Legendary movie actor James Stewart was promoted to Brigadier General after 27 years of military service.Pappy Boyington was a scrappy fighter pilot ace of the U.S. Marines during World War II.Dedicated to Jewish Chaplains who perished while in service to their country.Sir Winston Churchill, who defended Britain from the Nazis, was made an honorary American citizen.Patrol Bombing Squadron Eighteen. To men like them we owe our freedom.The brave, meritorious Tuskegee Airmen of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy Seal and Medal of Honor recipient who sacrificed his own life to save his comrades in Iraq.I’m shown an often updated book that lists the positions of every plaque by name.The volunteer at the memorial dutifully rings eight bells.The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is a place of moving stories, and many heroes.
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Public art in San Diego honors those who serve in uniform, defending Peace, Liberty, Justice, America , Freedom.
Four large painted murals can be seen under Interstate 5 where the freeway passes over Rosecrans Street, just west of Old Town. The title of my blog post is a bit deceptive, because I only managed to get decent pics of three murals. The fourth, which depicts the Coronado Bay Bridge, was half in sunlight, half in darkness, and is the least interesting (in my opinion) of the four anyway.
Mural includes two colorful scenes from historic Old Town, just a short walk away.Four works of art glimpsed by motorists as they drive under the busy overpass.Pedestrians file past artwork that shows nearby San Diego River and wildlife.
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Photo of American who fought in World War II, helping achieve a victory for liberty.
This morning a special Spirit of ’45 wreath laying ceremony was held on San Diego’s Embarcadero, right next to the USS Midway Museum. The area is known as the Greatest Generation Walk, and is dotted with monuments and memorials remembering those who fought in World War II. Today’s event took place at the heels of the large Unconditional Surrender statue, created by artist Seward Johnson. The sculpture was modeled after the iconic photograph of a sailor spontaneously kissing a nurse in New York City’s Times Square upon learning the war was over. How appropriate!
The Spirit of ’45 is an organization and series of events around the country that honors Americans who served in the Second World War. Most of these local tributes are held on or around the happy day the war finally ended, V-J Day, but today’s February ceremony was held in conjunction with a national conference. It kicks off the historic 70th anniversary year of commemorative events.
I got lots of pics!
Color guard is ready prior to Spirit of ’45 kick off event by USS Midway Museum.Only 5 percent of those who fought in World War II remain alive today. Those who participated in the war effort were honored and remembered with gratitude.The Star Spangled Banner is sung as audience listens on San Diego’s Embarcadero.Thanking a genuine hero. Gratitude was expressed during the special ceremony.Young man in Junior ROTC speaks about family members who defended freedom and others who serve today.Dignitaries, veterans and military people on stage for presentation of first wreath.After presenting the first wreath, photo of Philip Schlamberg, last American killed during World War II, is carried by a hero.Rosie the Riveters are thanked for their service. They presented the second wreath.Introducing a British war bride, who thanked Americans for saving Great Britain and freeing Europe from the Nazis.About to bring red, white and blue carnations over to the third, final wreath.Everybody attending is invited to insert a flower, to honor those who served their country in World War II.A special flag awaits nearby on the grass.People from the audience make their way to participate in a patriotic spectacle.Many hands get ready to unfurl the huge flag on the grassy area between the Unconditional Surrender statue and Bob Hope Tribute.The giant billowing flag is unfurled by citizens proud and happy to be free.People carefully hold up American flag in a tribute to fallen heroes.The Stars and Stripes is displayed on the Greatest Generation Walk.Photo of three wreaths and flags after the crowd has dispersed.Young band members relax in the San Diego sunshine.Singers perform nostalgic Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy after ceremony.Small model of Seward Johnson’s Unconditional Surrender sculpture is on display.The iconic kiss is planted right in front of my camera lens!Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!
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Morning light shines on monument originally called the San Diego Peace Memorial.
A fervent wish for this New Year: May There Be Peace on Earth.
Perhaps it’s futile to expect peaceful human coexistence on this crazy, mixed up planet. It often seems that way. That’s unfortunate. But it would be even more tragic to completely lose hope.
The creators of one poignant local memorial certainly yearned for the end of war. Because they understood war is brutal.
A row of plaques stand on the east side of the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park. Originally called the San Diego Peace Memorial and installed in Old Town in 1969, the silent monument was renamed the Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial in 1996 and moved to this location. It lists all San Diegans who were killed or designated missing in action during the Vietnam War.
Today’s Veterans Museum and Memorial Center is housed in the former chapel of the old San Diego Naval Hospital, which was built during World War II. Throughout the history of mankind, wars have invariably reminded us of the sanctity of peace.
In 2015, May There Be Peace on Earth.
People head into the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park.Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial was originally located in Old Town.Small American flags remember those who sacrificed in a difficult, controversial war.Names of San Diegans who lost their lives fighting in the Vietnam War, 1965-1975.Flag flies above Veterans Museum, formerly the San Diego Naval Hospital Chapel.
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Man points out a recent fleet carrier name on the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.
Take a stroll down the Greatest Generation Walk on San Diego’s Embarcadero and you’re likely to see people standing beside the Aircraft Carrier Memorial, just gazing at the long list of historic Navy ships. Many will run their hand along the black marble obelisk as they search for the ship on which they or a loved one served.
The listed names include every fleet carrier, training carrier, light carrier, escort carrier, and amphibious assault ship from American history. Well, almost. I’ve noticed the fleet carrier section has run out of space, and the last ship named is the Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). No room remains to engrave the more recent USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).
Sculpture of a sailor who served aboard a flattop.Obelisk of Aircraft Carrier Memorial remembers past ships from naval history.
The memorial, whose bronze figures were sculpted by artists T.J. Dixon and James Nelson, contains the following words:
The advent of the aircraft carrier revolutionized modern naval warfare. This memorial was conceived by aircraft carrier veterans to honor this nation’s carriers and the personnel who proudly served aboard them. Powered by the human soul, these ships changed the course of history.
This site is known as the old navy “fleet landing”…where countless thousands of servicemen boarded boats that transported them to their ships.
The names of all U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and their hull numbers are inscribed hereon…from the smallest to the largest. Every “flattop” is of equal distinction…none above the other. The personnel who manned, fought and in some cases perished aboard these ships were and are a part of the finest Navy and Marine Corps in the world.
Sculpture of a naval aviator who flew from a carrier.The Aircraft Carrier Memorial can be found on San Diego’s Greatest Generation Walk.
The Greatest Generation Walk is located on San Diego Bay, just south of the USS Midway Museum.
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I just received an email from the Port of San Diego. It concerns a blog post I wrote last month about a mysterious Navy plaque on the Embarcadero. The plaque stands near the USS Midway Museum, among other military monuments and works of art on the Greatest Generation Walk.
Here’s the body of the reply, which provides a little more of the history of two interesting plaques:
“The plaque in question, which is on the Harbor Drive side of the stone, is a 30” x 22” cast bronze bas relief that commemorates the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Navy – 1773 to 1973. We don’t have information on the exact date it was created and installed but it was most likely cast and mounted around the time of the anniversary in 1973. The sponsor of this plaque was the U.S. Navy. The images in the plaque include representative ships and planes used by the Navy during its first 200 years. From left to right they include: (1) a sailing warship, probably a frigate; (2) a Civil War era ironclad monitor; (3) a pre-World War I battleship or armored cruiser; (4) a modern (circa 1973) aircraft carrier; (5) a nuclear powered submarine; and (6) two F-4 Phantom jet fighter planes. The plaque also includes a circular rendering of the U.S. Navy emblem showing an anchor and eagle and the words “United States Navy”. There is also an oval shaped emblem that includes an anchor superimposed by the dates 1773 and 1973 and the words “United States Navy – Building on a Proud Tradition.” (See image below, which is also attached.) This plaque was originally located on Broadway Pier at a bench and planter area. After the extensive renovation of Broadway Pier some years ago, the plaque was remounted in its current location near the USS Midway by the Port of San Diego’s General Services department.”
Photo of Navy 200 year commemoration plaque courtesy the Port of San Diego.
“The Pearl Harbor Survivors plaque, which you mentioned, was also originally displayed on Broadway Pier prior to the above-mentioned renovations. This plaque was sponsored by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Carnation Chapter, San Diego, and dedicated during the Chapter’s annual remembrance ceremony on December 7, 1984. From the image attached and shown below, you can read the inscription on the plaque. The five circular emblems are those of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.”
Photo of Pearl Harbor Survivors plaque courtesy the Port of San Diego.
The exact origin of the first plaque still seems a bit mysterious to me. Was it unique to the Broadway Pier? Were more of these plaques created?
Thanks go to the Port of San Diego, who provided the above descriptions and the photographs!
Thanks also go to gpcox, who spent a good bit of time searching for answers to this fascinating mystery!
My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
UPDATE!
A subsequent comment has directed my attention to the following information:
I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.
AMAZING UPDATE!
I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!
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Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.
I’ve wondered for a long time about this mysterious plaque on San Diego’s Embarcadero. It’s located on the Greatest Generation Walk, right next to the USS Midway Museum, and stands back-to-back with a Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque which I blogged about here.
Thousands of people walk by this old, corroded plaque every day, but I can find absolutely nothing on the internet about its origin. An image framed by rope includes several vessels, including a tall ship (perhaps the USS Constitution), an ironclad (perhaps the USS Monitor), an old warship with a side-mounted gun, an aircraft carrier, and some jets flying overhead. Words indicate the plaque commemorates the United States Navy’s 200 years of Building on a Proud Tradition. The United States Navy began in 1775 and celebrated its bicentennial in 1975.
Obviously, whoever placed the plaque at this location must know something about its history. But even the Port of San Diego website, where the other monuments on the Greatest Generation Walk are listed and described, says nothing about it!
The slab that it’s embedded in appears very similar to the slab right next to it, containing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque. But I’ve found nothing specific about that plaque, either!
Perhaps someone out there can identify this mystery plaque! What the heck is it? Where did it come from? Help solve this mystery!
Mysterious plaque by Midway Museum commemorates Navy’s 200 year anniversary.
UPDATE!
I received more information about this plaque from the Port of San Diego. Please visit this blog post!
UPDATE!
William Abell wrote the following in the comment section:
My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
UPDATE!
A subsequent comment directed me to the following information:
I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.
AMAZING UPDATE!
I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!
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Mexican Navy training tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc docked in San Diego Bay.
I had an unexpected adventure today!
I was just walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero late this afternoon, circling homeward after watching a movie and eating lunch at downtown’s Horton Plaza. And there it was. An absolutely gigantic three-masted tall ship docked near the cruise ship terminal!
It was the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982. And the few curious people who walked a short distance out onto the pier discovered they could freely board and tour the ship!
I believe the beautiful high-masted ship might be visiting for the upcoming Festival of Sail, which is to be put on by the San Diego Maritime Museum in two weeks. (Yes, I’ll attend!) Fortunately, today I had my trusty camera with me!
Free tour of the huge tall ship could be enjoyed beside cruise ship terminal.Visitors look at information sign near the Cuauhtémoc’s gangplank.On board, looking straight up the center mast.Mexican Navy officer checks the ship’s bell.Looking east across the beautiful ship from the upper deck.The Cuauhtémoc has participated in many events, exhibitions and regattas.San Diego’s tall ship America can be seen on the bay through the rigging.A view of downtown skyscrapers from the Mexican tall ship’s foredeck.A ship’s gun points out past the Broadway Pier.Sailors begin a drill by climbing the shrouds.A line of Mexican sailors ascends toward the sky.Higher they go up the enormous mast!They demonstrate a bit of fancy work with the sails.A sailor descends as American flag flies from the visiting vessel.Guests and sailors watch the proceedings with interest.A boy pretends to command the sailing ship at the wooden captain’s wheel.An officer’s cap rests atop ropes at one mast’s base.Ship’s plaque describes El Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc.Looking west as sun falls toward distant Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.The figurehead of Cuauhtémoc is a shining Aztec warrior.
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On steps of the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park.
Today a special event was held at Balboa Park’s Veterans Museum and Memorial Center. The Spirit of 1945 National Day of Remembrance honored American veterans who defended freedom around the globe during World War II.
The Spirit of ’45 is an annual event held throughout the United States in many cities. It marks the anniversary of V-J Day, the day the Japanese finally surrendered and World War II ended. The special event has become increasingly important, as thousands of heroes from The Greatest Generation now pass away every year.
Many San Diego dignitaries attended today’s ceremony, including an ex-mayor, city council member, district attorney, police chief, plus some very high-ranking military officers. But in my mind, the day was all about ordinary Americans who personally sacrificed to do an extremely difficult and very important thing.
Several of these heroes recalled in short speeches what it was like to hear the news that the war had ended. You could hear the emotion in their voices, almost 70 years later.
After the ceremony, veterans told their personal stories inside the museum, so that memories will continue of those times and their deeds.
Spirit of 1945 National Day of Remembrance was held near the museum.Memorial for combat wounded veterans is one of the nearby monuments.Color guard poses for me while they wait for the event to officially begin.World War II veteran helped by serviceman into museum side door.Tents line walkway where Spirit of 1945 event took place today.Girl Scouts help to check in the honored veterans.Over a hundred vets were in attendance, remembering the war’s end.Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial had a display.Filipino-American Military Officers Association tent.Clowns and face painters were there to entertain families with kids.Duty Honor Country written at the center of a small circular plaza.Dancers enjoy the nearby band playing swing music!Now it seems everybody’s dancing!Here are the musicians. Big band music was playing from the 1940s era.B-24 Liberator bomber from World War II rises above a nearby fountain.Now I’m standing in back area where chairs were under shady trees.Nearby, guys in vintage military uniforms look at some historical images.Kids check out a tent and various items carried by soldiers decades ago.Many were wearing clothing and uniforms common during World War II.Display on grass shows maps and articles from a battlefield.Scattered items inside a command tent include old magazines.One got a flavor of the difficult experiences of the Greatest Generation.Here comes color guard, prior to National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance.Veteran talks about Victory in the Pacific and how overjoyed the troops were.A generation of veterans listens as speakers honor their sacrifices for freedom.Veterans salute a general who spoke about his pride for those who served.A bust to be set near the B-24 Liberator sculpture is unveiled by local artist Richard Becker. To the far right stands retired Brigadier General Robert L Cardenas, USAF.Bust of Brigadier General Robert L Cardenas , an accomplished World War II aviator. The sculpture was created by renowned San Diego artist Richard Becker.Everyone listens to happy memories of V-J Day on August 14, 1945.Crowd was twice the size that had been expected.The ceremony ends and I take a pic over beautiful flowers.Sailors ready to help aging American heroes back to their cars.
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San Diego recently made the news as America’s most patriotic city, according to a popular social media network. It doesn’t surprise me. San Diego has more military installations and a higher concentration of veterans than any other city in the United States.
So on the Fourth of July you might expect to see a whole lot of patriotism. You’re right!
Tonight one of the biggest firework displays in the country will take place on San Diego Bay. Right now, people are filtering into the area around the bay to claim viewing spots, have barbeques and picnics, and get themselves ready for the Big Bay Boom, until the number will reach hundreds of thousands.
This afternoon I walked around the Gaslamp and the Embarcadero. Here come some pics!
The streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp District filled with patriotic sights.Shop window in the Gaslamp filled with American flags.Friendship and brotherhood on the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.One of many boats decked with Fourth of July bunting.The bayfront parks are crowded with tents and celebrating Americans.Thousands along San Diego Bay enjoy barbeque and play.People have claimed spots to watch tonight’s fireworks on the bay.Street performer poses with red, white and blue.Many in the crowd are wearing patriotic clothing.USS Carl Vinson, an active aircraft carrier, strung with festive colors.A display on the Embarcadero of historic diving equipment.Young man near USS Midway speaks to retired Navy diver.Just kicking back on a sunny San Diego Independence Day.The Patriot speed boat is fit for the occasion.Cool pedicab driver gives a peace sign on Fourth of July.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 