On the morning of December 17th 2022, we celebrated our Inaugural National Wreaths Across America Day with a small ceremony followed by the laying of Christmas wreaths. We are honored to collaborate with Wreaths Across America and continue to align our missions of remembering, honoring, and teaching. Together with 2,700 other locations around the nation, millions of volunteers took the time to pause and pay their respects to the men and women who keep our nation free. We are proud to have been able to collaborate and participate in this nationwide program.
Wreaths Across America began with one man who found himself with extra holiday wreaths. He remembered his visit as a boy to Arlington National Cemetery and wanted to donate them in honor of the veterans buried there. He partnered with the cemetery staff and a local trucking company. The first wreaths were laid in a part of the cemetery that saw less and less visitors.
Over the years this act of kindness and patriotism grew into a non-profit and expanded across the nation. Congress enacted a National Wreaths Across America Day the weekend before Christmas whereas a nation we would pause to remember their sacrifice, honor them by laying the wreaths, and use this moment to teach the next generation of their sacrifice and their contributions to keeping our nation free.
Since October, we have gathered donations towards wreaths to honor the 5,800+ veterans honored at our memorial. Along with 57 volunteers, US Navy CPO’s from Camp Pendleton, our docents, trustees, girls scout troops, Miss Teen California Volunteer, Dancers Against Cancer Princess, veterans, and their families, we laid 153 wreaths at the base of our memorial walls.
Thank you to ABC 10 News and New 8 ,FOX 5 for joining us and covering our inaugural event, and to Peets Coffee in La Jolla for donating their coffee for everyone that attended.
We especially want to thank everyone who donated a wreath. Your generosity enabled us to honor and remember those who have gone before us with a beautiful green Christmas Wreath. We invite you and your families to join us next year for this very meaningful occasion.
Our Christmas wreaths will remain in place at the memorial until January 6th. We encourage you to visit your loved ones at the memorial and view our 14 honor walls lined with fresh Christmas wreaths.
From your friends at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, we wish each of you a Happy Holiday Season!
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Considered one of the most unique veterans memorials in America. The only memorial that honors veterans, living or deceased, from the revolutionary war to the current war on terror, with an image of the veteran.
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial has stood at the height of San Diego since 1954. It has gone through many trials to be what it is today—A Beacon of Freedom. Thousands of people that stood before our memorial were able to honor and recognize the thousands of military men and women who sacrificed for this country. We have the unique duty to create plaques for all military people—living or deceased—so that all members of the armed forces can be thanked for their service. Those who are recognized have served the Revolutionary War, both World Wars, and even today’s War on Terror.
Every plaque lists each veteran’s or serviceperson’s accomplishments during their term. If not for their hard work and love of our country, we would be barren of witnessing such selfless courage and dedicated heroism. We, as a memorial and country, are founded on their service.
Visiting Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial commemorates the sacrifices made not only by servicemembers, but also by the people who have kept Mt. Soledad Memorial operating. Our volunteers and ever generous donators are another reason the memorial has continued to operate. They have kept the plaques clean, parking lots trash free, and our presence known.
We hope to see you at the Veterans Memorial!
Dear Friends of Mt. Soledad,
It is with immense pride that I am able to serve you and your families in this very gratifying role as the Executive Director. I am humbled and extremely grateful to have met many of you at our ceremonies and during your visits to the memorial, and I look forward to seeing you again or meeting you in person for the first time.
It is always a rewarding experience to engage in a warm conversation and hear stories of your beloved veteran, learn about their service, their careers, and all of your families. Our memorial is a special place, and we cherish the opportunity to host you and the thousands of visitors atop the mount each and every day. Your continued friendship ensured that we were able to fulfill our mission in 2022. Each of you were instrumental to our mission, and we value your loyal support.
With Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year’s holidays upon us, we look forward to gathering with our loved ones to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year. I encourage you to take some time to bring your families to the memorial over the holidays and enjoy this most pristine, “one of a kind” veterans memorial.
Not only will you view the thousands of plaques on the honor walls and enjoy the spectacular views, you may be inclined to awaken early one morning and go up for a visit and view a very majestic sunrise over the hills and mountains towards the East. Or perhaps you’d rather enjoy the late afternoon and the view overlooking the Pacific Ocean and see a palette of colors being created as the sun sets to the West. Many will share that, “anytime at the Memorial is a wonderful time.”
It is especially consoling during this time of the year as our lives slow down and the Christmas spirit abounds with merriment and reflection. Please, let us also be sure to take the time to remember all of our men and women serving in our military, as many of them will be away from their families over the holidays. We are thankful for their service.
With gratitude,
Neil O’Connell
Executive Director
