The Mount Soledad Memorial Association will host its Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 10, beginning at 2 p.m., with special guest speakers, a plaque presentation and plaques available for purchase.
“Nancy Owen and Bobby Price are the Veterans of the Year for 2008,” said Denise Larkins, executive assistant at the Soledad Memorial. “They will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and we’ll have the special flag presentation for Lt. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, who’s retired from the Marine Corps.”
Krulak, who was an officer in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934 and has been awarded many medals, including the Navy Cross and a Distinguished Service Medal.
In addition to the special plaque that will be presented to Krulak by the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser will give the keynote address.
As the keynote speaker, Waldhauser, Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, will discuss the Marine Corps’ 232nd anniversary and today’s military readiness, said Joanie Miyashiro-Brennan, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association.
The veterans memorial on Mt. Soledad consists of six walls that will accommodate 3,200 plaques to honor veterans who have served the United States during a time of war, Larkins said.
“We currently have approximately 2,200 [plaques],” she said. “Some are from the current war.”
Plaques and the memorial association’s plaque engraver will be at the site on Veterans Day to allow attendees to purchase a plaque and have it engraved.
The goal of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association is to improve the veterans memorial and the land that surrounds it, Larkins said.
The Mt. Soledad memorial is at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. Attendees should arrive at 1:30 p.m. at one of two parking areas for shuttle service to the memorial: The French American School at 6550 Soledad Mountain Road, or the Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church at 6551 Soledad Mountain Road.
Veterans Day festivities begin at 2 p.m. and will last until 3:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served, including coffee and cookies. The keynote speaker is scheduled at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Soledad website, www.soledadmemorial.com, or call the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, (858) 459-2314.