The 29-foot cross that crowns Mount Soledad may continue to foster controversy, but that won’t prevent the Mount Soledad Memorial Association from holding a ceremony on Monday, May 31 to honor United States war veterans. The event, which marketing representative Bob Phillips expects to attract a crowd of about 1,000, including District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner of La Jolla, will last from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial. The service will commemorate the sacrifices of Medal of Honor recipient Army Col. Robert Howard with a plaque to be installed on the Veterans Wall. Howard, who is believed to be one of the most heavily-decorated American veterans in recent history, served five tours of duty during the Vietnam War and was nominated for the Medal of Honor three separate times for different acts. Wounded 14 times 54 months, he received the honor in 1971 from President Richard M. Nixon. He also received eight purple hearts, four bronze stars and two distinguished service crosses. Fellow Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corps Col. Bob Modrzejewski, retired, will relate accounts of Howard’s medal-meriting acts. Maj. Gen. Thomas Conant, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, will deliver the keynote address. Conant oversees flight operations that support tens of thousands of Marines at various locations, including Miramar and Camp Pendleton, and has served with all four Marine aircraft wings as a UH-IN Huey and AH-1W Cobra pilot. Spectators will enjoy music by the Navy Band Southwest Brass Quintet under the direction of Petty Officer Joe Moore, as well as the National Anthem performed by soloist Robyn Groen of the Troubador Band. Representatives of American Legion Post 275 and VFW Post 1774 will conduct a wreath laying, and San Diego County Veteran of the Year Virgin Whitehead will lead attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. In addition, the San Diego Salute T-34 Team will present a flyover performance of the missing man formation, an aerial salute that typically honors fallen pilots No new developments to the lawsuit, initiated by atheist veteran Philip Paulson in 1989 over the constitutionality of displaying a religious symbol on city property, have arisen. As the case awaits a delayed decision in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Phillips said he is optimistic in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to allow a memorial cross in Mojave Desert to remain—although it has since been stolen. “That was a single cross, whereas ours is an integrated memorial,” Phillips said. “The ruling was a positive one, but ultimately the courts will settle this matter.” “Meanwhile,” he added, “our mission continues to be the same, and that is to recognize veterans who have been honorably-discharged from the U.S. military.” The association has also recently begun to honor veterans from other countries who served in U.S. military commands, notably Koreans who served in the U.S. military. Phillips said current projects include working on walkways, capping the walls and installing a sprinkler system at the site of the monument. The association also continues to add commemorative black granite plaques to the Veterans Wall, which now displays more than 2,700 and will eventually hold 3,200. Famous plaque holders include former U.S. presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, as well as generals John J. Pershing and George S. Patton, and admirals James Stockdale and Chester Nimitz. Actors Jimmy Stewart and Audie Murphy — who is the most highly-decorated World War II veteran, are also represented. “There are many others you’ve never heard of, but they served their country proudly and we are honored to commemorate them,” Phillips said. The lead sponsor for this year’s Memorial Day ceremony is the Home Box Office (HBO) network, which presented the Mount Soledad Veterans Association with an undisclosed grant and will receive an organizational plaque. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to the event. Free parking and shuttle services are available at the Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church, 6551 Soledad Mountain Road. For more information, visit www.soledadmemorial.com or call (858) 459-2314.