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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Three ships of Japanese Self-Defense Force visit San Diego.
Those don’t look like cruise ships! Docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal are three visiting Japanese warships. They are participating in Dawn Blitz, a multilateral amphibious exercise. The two destroyers and big landing ship are part of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Carefree sailboats on a sparkling blue San Diego Bay make an interesting contrast with the gray, ominous warships! Head south past the Coronado Bay Bridge and you’d see a long row of American Navy ships belonging to the Pacific Fleet.
Japanese warships docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
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USS San Diego Memorial on the Greatest Generation Walk.
I remember walking along the Embarcadero eleven years ago (how time flies!) and just stumbling upon an amazing ceremony. The USS San Diego Memorial was being dedicated. I stood quietly in back of the gathering and watched as notable Navy and local political leaders gave speeches to honor those who served on the USS San Diego, the second most decorated military ship of World War II. One of the speakers was none other than Jerry Coleman, a hero of that war and much beloved sports broadcaster. The large memorial today is a fixture on San Diego’s waterfront, located just south of the USS Midway Museum on the Greatest Generation Walk.
The USS San Diego was a light cruiser that received 18 battle stars during World War II, more than any other ship except the famous aircraft carrier Enterprise. The ship engaged with the enemy on 34 different occasions, in battles throughout the Pacific, and never lost a single sailor during combat. It the first U.S. warship to enter Tokyo Bay at the close of the war.
Monumental art remembers a famous World War II ship.The names of those who served on USS San Diego.Terrazzo map shows movements of the ship during the war.The light cruiser is depicted in action beneath an aerial fight.
The fantastic artwork was created by Eugene Daub and Louis Quaintance.
Sculpture of a crew member of the USS San Diego.
The inscription behind the sailor sculpture reads:
Hundreds of thousands of sailors went to sea and fought in World War II, perhaps the most singular unifying event in the history of the United States. These young Americans set aside their individual hopes and aspirations, left families, home and jobs in a collective sacrifice to defend their country and their common ideals. The men of the USS San Diego (CL-53) remembered here are emblematic of all who fought for victory in this epic struggle.
Golden light before sunset highlights written remembrance.
Here are two more bonus pics I took on a later date!
Close look at artwork of naval engagement on USS San Diego Memorial.People stand on detailed map of where USS San Diego fought during World War II.
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I thought of heading up to Mt. Soledad for the Memorial Day ceremony this afternoon, but the thought of crowds and a parking hassle was just too much. Instead, I went for a long walk!
My brilliant plan was to head up Park Boulevard to check out the Veterans War Memorial Building in Balboa Park, just north of the San Diego Zoo. The War Memorial Building was built in 1950 to honor Americans who’d served in the military overseas. Certainly something had to be going on there for Memorial Day!
Boy was I wrong.
The place was dead. Closed. No people. Nothing. Not even a flag on the flagpole. They couldn’t even raise a flag for Memorial Day?
No flag flies for Memorial Day.San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building plaque.
The plaque reads:
SAN DIEGO VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING
DEDICATED BY THE CITIZENS OF SAN DIEGO AS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO OUR HONORED DEAD OF ALL WARS AND TO THOSE AMERICANS WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE FOUR FREEDOMS
I
FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION
II
FREEDOM OF EVERY PERSON TO WORSHIP GOD IN HIS OWN WAY
III
FREEDOM FROM WANT
IV
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
Veterans War Memorial is closed on Memorial Day.
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Bronze plaque in Coronado marks birthplace of naval aviation.
In Coronado’s beautiful Centennial Park, just north of the Coronado Ferry Landing, you can find this relatively new bronze plaque. It marks the birthplace of naval aviation, Rockwell Field, which no longer exists.
The historical marker reads:
BIRTHPLACE OF NAVAL AVIATION
In 1910, on the unoccupied brushland of North Coronado Island, inventor and entrepreneur Glenn Hammond Curtiss opened his winter flying school for prospective “aeroplane pilots.” Among his first class of students was Navy Lieutenant Theodore G. “Spuds” Ellyson, who would become the first Naval Aviator. In 1917, the U.S. Congress appropriated the island to support the World War I effort and two airfields occupied its sandy flats–the Navy’s “Camp Trouble” and the Army Signal Corps’ Rockwell Field. The Army vacated Rockwell Field in 1935, at which time the Navy expanded its operations to cover the whole island. Many aviation milestones originated from North Island including the first seaplane flight in the United States in 1911.
San Diego, California was designated the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation” by the Armed Services Committee of the United States House of Representatives on 24 March 1961.
Marker Placed By
California State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
2011
Historical marker is located near east end of Centennial Park.Rockwell Field in 1924.
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Bronze audience listens to a Bob Hope comedy routine.
Perhaps you fondly remember Bob Hope. Millions do. I do.
In San Diego, a fantastic tribute to the legendary comedian can be found on the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway Museum. Sixteen life-sized bronze figures show Bob doing a comedy routine for assorted American service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. An outdoor speaker plays old recordings of him telling his inimitable jokes. For five decades Bob Hope entertained the troops during his many USO tours.
Thanks for the memories.
The famous profile of legendary American comedian Bob Hope.USS Midway can be seen behind the bronze service members.USO tours by Bob Hope over many decades are recalled.Man poses with bronze sculptures of American military heroes.Bob Hope entertains troops by the USS Midway Museum and the Unconditional Surrender “Kiss” statue.A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military.
This morning around seven I walked over to the grassy park just south of the USS Midway Museum. I wanted to see The Wall That Heals.
A half-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the black wall is inscribed with over 58,000 names. Each name belongs to a serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice during that war.
I’m sure the weekend crowds will be huge, but early on a Friday morning very few people were about.
The Wall That Heals and several thought-provoking displays that accompany it will remain in San Diego through Sunday.
If all of the names could be in one place…Helmet and boots from Vietnam War era.Friends of the Forgotten, remembering those who sacrificed.The Gold Star Bike on public display.Welcome to The Wall That Heals.Flowers and the names of over 58,000 who gave their lives.
UPDATE…
I took the following photos Sunday afternoon around one o’clock.
Half-size replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Diego.People read names inscribed on The Wall That Heals.
Sculpture and cannon at entrance to the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.
Just east of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park one can find the Mormon Battalion Historic Site, an attraction created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The location itself seems a bit arbitrary, as the Mormon Battalion manned Fort Stockton up on the hill by the old, abandoned Presidio when they arrived in San Diego in 1847.
Young lady missionaries guide visitors through a series of rooms and outdoor areas which are designed to tell a sympathetic version of the Mormon Battalion’s difficult 2000 mile march from Iowa. The ulterior motive is to promote their beliefs, and there are frequent religious references, but there is no hard sell and the tour guides are warm and friendly. One can absorb a little bit of history while experiencing a good-humored, Disney-like presentation.
A friendly missionary lady comes outside to welcome a new visitor.Girl in a pioneer dress begins the tour with talking, moving portraits.
Much of the tour is spent watching professionally produced dramatic videos. Several real historical artifacts can be found near the tour’s end.
Taking pictures of visitors with a large antique camera.Girls pose for a picture in front of a western scene.
A lot of families and kids were smiling and enjoying the tour. Many appeared to be members of the LDS Church.
Young visitors near end of the tour pan for glittery iron pyrite.Covered wagon in front of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.
Cool San Diego Sights! 