The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will mark this year’s Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11 with a ceremony honoring the nation’s veterans and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War from 11 a.m. to noon at Mount Soledad Memorial Park, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South.

The event will feature two highly decorated veterans who served in Vietnam: former U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr. and retired U.S. Navy Commander and former prisoner of war Henry James Bedinger. As an official partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, an initiative authorized by Congress, the ceremony will honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans and their families, with special recognition paid to Vietnam-era veterans, prisoners of war, and those still missing in action.

The keynote speaker, Brewer, served in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger and infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He received a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for his heroic combat service.

Brewer went on to become a prominent San Diego litigator after receiving his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He then served as the Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County and Assistant District Attorney for California’s Central District. On Jan. 16, 2019, he was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.

This year’s honoree and special guest speaker is Henry James “Jim” Bedinger, Commander, U.S. Navy (ret). Bedinger served in Vietnam as an A-4 Radar Intercept Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. On Nov 22, 1969, he was forced to eject over Laos. He was taken as a prisoner of war and was held at Hoa Lao for 1,223 days until his release through Operation Homecoming.

Bedinger continued to serve his country in various assignments, including at the Pentagon and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired on Aug. 1, 1989, from the Naval Training Center San Diego and continues to call San Diego home. He is also the author of “Patriot, Prisoner, Survivor: An American Family at War.”

His book recounts his experiences of heroism, endurance, and the shared struggle in the fight for freedom. The book serves as a reminder of an individual’s impact on the course of history. You can learn more about the book at https://bit.ly/46vNQVi.

The public is encouraged to attend this free event. Free parking will be available at the Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church and the French American School nearby at 6550 Soledad Mountain Road.

MT. SOLEDAD NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial stands high atop the coastal peak of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla. The memorial’s mission is to honor our nation’s veterans and preserve their legacy. It is the only Memorial to do so for both living and deceased veterans.

More than 6,000 personalized tributes to their service and sacrifice, beautifully engraved on black granite plaques, are mounted on 14 curved walls encircling the base of the 29-foot-tall cross at its center. The memorial is located at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information about Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, visit soledadmemorial.org.

The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is joining thousands of organizations under the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, established under the Secretary of Defense and authorized by Congress, as a commemorative partner to honor the 7 million Vietnam veterans, including those held as prisoners of war or are listed as missing in action. This commemoration highlights the service of our Armed Forces and pays tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during this conflict.

WHAT VETERANS DAY AND BEING A VETERAN MEAN

“Having spent over 20 years in the Navy Nurse Corps, I got to experience wonderful travels and meet incredible people in the service. Hopefully, I was able to leave a lasting mark with my service to fellow military members who were also serving. Plus, I met the love of my life, Bob, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and married him in Hawaii a few years later. Great adventures.” – Ellen Citrano, CDR, NC, USNR, Ret.

“As a veteran, I am part of a group that raised their hand to hold themselves to a higher standard. To willingly go whenever and wherever our country deemed necessary to provide for the safety and security of others. Veterans Day is a day to acknowledge all those who did this. Who committed to supporting our country by donning the uniform of the American fighting force that represents hope and freedom to the world. This day is a chance to say ‘thank you’ to all those who put the needs and security of our country before all else.” – Sean Mulrooney, Commander, U.S. Navy Ret.

“Serving for nearly 27 years in the U.S. Army was a true honor and privilege. Knowing that I did my little part to develop better relationships with the citizens, service members, and diplomats of other countries is something that I feel very good about. I’m proud to be an Army veteran and the daughter of La Jolla-born Marine Corps Korean War veteran Rob Jackson, a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient. I celebrate him on Veterans Day.” – Jennie Jackson Werner, Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army Ret.

“To be a veteran is to have dedicated our most precious life commodity – time – knowing it may lead to the ultimate sacrifice. We believe that protecting our country, our Constitution, and our fellow Americans is worth fighting and even dying for. Veterans Day, then, is a moment to reflect on the imperative of service. It should be used as an example to inspire others to serve their country or their communities, in or out of uniform.” – Alexander Martin, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center announced this year’s inductees into the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor. Since 2011, The Wall of Honor has recognized LGBTQ veterans with ties to San Diego. The 2023 inductees are:

• Daniel Kenneth Baggett, USN (he/him)
• Moses G. Beeman II, USMC (he/him)
• Roger C. Cornell, MD, USAF (he/him)
• Jimm Crouch, USN (he/him)
• Michael A. Dwyer, USA (he/him)
• Melissa Johnson, USAF (she/her)
• Carl Francis Moccafiche, USA (he/him)
• Turquoise Teagle, USN (they/them)
• Romie Lee Wilford, USN (he/they)

HISTORY OF MT. SOLEDAD NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL

At the height of WWII, Mt. Soledad was used as an observation point and radio transmission tower to monitor the real threat of Japanese sea forces and broadcast Easter Services to troops, connecting those serving at home and abroad a connection to home.

Since 1913, three crosses have been built on Mt. Soledad. The first was a simple redwood structure erected in 1913, torn down by vandals 10 years later. The second cross was built in 1923 from stucco over a wood frame. This cross, along with the first, was used as a gathering place for Easter Sunday. In 1952, the cross was destroyed in a windstorm.

The cross was erected as a lasting monument for service members who sacrificed their lives for the nation during the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean War. Just two years prior, the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association was created. The articles of incorporation were signed as the third cross was installed. This association would grow into what is now Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. The goal of the organization has always been to honor service members who honorably fought for the nation’s freedoms, living and deceased.

In the 1990s, the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association began construction on a new project, memorial walls, that would honor all veterans, regardless of status, rank, race, religion, or creed who protected our country. This project aimed to be a better, more focused, and permanent dedication than those held on Easter Sundays.

Architect James Alcorn came in and entered the preliminary designs for this newest wave of the memorial. His initial designs featured personalized black granite plaques, engraved with photos and information about the veteran being honored, mounted on walls ringing the center hill. This design was meant to encourage people to walk around the memorial and understand the diversity of contributions that individuals in the armed forces made to safeguarding the country.

Alcorn’s final design featured six low walls that radiated outwards from a pedestal that was marked with an American flag. The walkways in between these polished stone walls would be brick, and each wall would be filled with 3,200 engraved plaques made of black granite. This would bring visitors close to the acknowledgments and recollections of each veteran.

Each memorial plaque features one or more photos of the veteran listed. They would also include a summary that outlined the veteran’s service record and insignia. These insignia could represent the branch of the military in which the veteran served, the American flag, or any other piece of memorabilia that represented that person.

Today, 14 walls encircle the center of the memorial, covered in nearly 6,000 plaques (and counting) honoring veterans from the Revolutionary War to present-day operations including the current war on terror. The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial remains open to the public during normal Mt. Soledad Natural Park operating hours and at no charge.

The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is privately owned and remains 100% funded through the generosity of private donors, local and regional corporations, and members of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association.