Jerry Coleman “” the famous voice of the San Diego Padres “” will be honored with a special plaque presentation by the Mount Soledad Memorial Association during a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial.
San Diegans know the voice and Coleman’s famous tagline, “Oh, doctor, you can hang a star on that.” But Coleman is also a former lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps who fought in World War II and Korea as a pilot, flying 120 combat missions. He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, among other honors and medals.
Coleman, who played second base for the New York Yankees from 1949 through 1957, with a break for Korean War service, will be inducted by former teammate Robert “Bobby” Brown, also a World War II and Korean War vet, a physician and a baseball executive who played third base with the Yankees.
The Memorial Day ceremony will also feature the Navy Band Southwest and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Color Guard and Rifle Team. Retired Brigadier General Michael Aguilar, USMC, will give the keynote address. Aguilar was federal security director of San Diego International Airport and federal security director of the Year for the Western Region.
The Memorial Day Program is at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. People with a reserved parking pass may park at the Mt. Soledad Memorial parking lot. Event parking is available at Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church, 6551 Soledad Mountain Road, and at the French American School, 6550 Soledad Mountain Road, with complimentary shuttles running from both lots to the event.
For more information, go to www.soledadmemorial.com or call (858) 459-2314.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery will also honor veterans that morning during the 108th Memorial Day event. Members of the military, public officials, military veterans and the public will have an opportunity to participate in the Day of Remembrance ceremony.
The program begins at 10 a.m. and will include music, a wreath tribute, speeches, a cannon-and-rifle salute, a bagpipe player and special readings for the occasion. The keynote speaker for the event is expected to be Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region.
Special parking will be established at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery along Cabrillo Memorial Drive in Point Loma. For information, call (619) 553-2084.