One of the area’s best-known monuments is getting a new look thanks to a painting company based here in California. The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross in La Jolla has been undergoing a freshening up and is set to be on display with its new look this week. The 29-foot Mt. Soledad cross was erected in 1952 as a tribute to Korean War Veterans and has been severely weatherbeaten by wind, sun and rain over the past 40 years. While this refurbishing would often cost thousands of dollars, the good news for those involved with the cross is that the price tag for the work is $0. The cross’ surrounding base and wrought-iron fence are being completely repaired and brightened with top-quality products as a pro bono project of Bay Cal Painting Inc., which has offices in Oceanside, San Francisco and Fresno. Bay Cal Painting selects one community project a year that their staff donates time and materials for complete repair. Among their past projects include the Hillcrest sign, Mission San Juan Capistrano and San Luis Rey and the famous Hollywood sign. In August 2006, as members of the Bay Cal Painting Company, including principals and brothers David and Jim Codde, were traveling along Interstate 5, they heard on the radio that President Bush had announced the transfer of the Mt. Soledad Memorial to the federal government. Company principals decided that they wished to consider that project for their next pro bono effort, according to Jim Codde. “We immediately made an about-face to head to the mountaintop and assess the project,” Codde said. “Shortly thereafter we sent a proposal to the city of San Diego offering our service.” That proposal was obtained by the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, the founders of the memorial, which now has the authority to complete and maintain the memorial through a memo of understanding with U.S. Navy Region Southwest, which manages and oversees the memorial site for the Federal Government. David Codde noted that it is particularly rewarding to restore the cross that was originally constructed to honor Korean War veterans because his father, Chandon William Codde, now deceased, was a Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. The association installed 500 feet of guardrails, including vertical railings that go all the way to the cross platform, and horizontal guard railings along the concentric walls where black granite plaques including an image of the veteran have been installed to honor U.S. veterans of all wars, living and deceased, from the Civil War up to current conflicts in the Middle East. Bay Cal staff used a 60-foot boom to reach the top of the 29-foot cross, which sits upon a 12-foot platform, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence. Bay Cal worked with suppliers to donate materials, including Frazee Paint, PCI Coatings, which donated a two-part black polyurethane metal paint for the wrought-iron fence, and Desert Brand Paint, which supplied the materials for the steps at the base of the cross, to be painted forest green. After-Hours Welding of San Marcos also contributed its time for the welding work. While this round of work is finished, Bay Cal Painting not only agreed to the painting project, it also offered to maintain the paint for the next 20 years, just as it did with the Hollywood sign. Ed Ward, trustee president and COO of the association, noted that the association was extremely grateful to Bay Cal Painting and their support groups from Frazee Paint and After Hours Welding for the Painting, Restoration and Repair work they are all doing. “Our association members have been working for some time to raise the funding needed to restore and complete this unique and world-class memorial,” Ward said. “With this work donated, we are now able to move forward with more restoration and the installation of addition guardrails for the safety of our visitors. The painting and repairs donated by Bay Cal Painting is one of the most visible acts of generosity we have recently received.” Ward noted that the association members, and the veterans community in general, are greatly encouraged to see the progress being made toward the restoration and completion of this nationally recognized veteran’s memorial. “With these immediate repairs, and others under way, the families of the veterans represented here can be confident this treasured memorial will remain and will be maintained to continue to honor our U.S. military veterans,” Ward added. In honor of this work, a ceremony is planned for today, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. Several guests are expected to be on hand, including the board of trustees of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, San Diego District I Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, Dave and Jim Codde (principals of Bay Cal Painting) and representatives of project donor/subcontractors Frazee Paint, PCI Coatings, Desert Brand Paint and After-Hours Welding. The memorial is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Persons interested in obtaining a plaque to honor a U.S. war veteran can reach the association at www.soledadmemorial.com or by calling (858) 459-2314.