The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will honor Marine Corps Major Megan McClung, and our nation’s heroes through a live and virtual tribute event on 30 May 2021 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (PDT) streamed right here on our website.
McClung was the first female Marine officer to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to be killed in action since the school was founded in 1845. Major McClung was serving as a Public Affairs Officer in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
Our Keynote Speaker will be Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, a retired three-star general who served in the United States Army. As a brigade combat team commander in Ramadi, Iraq, he is credited with fostering the Sunni Arab “Awakening” movement, which was instrumental in turning the tide of the war. While commanding III Corps, he also commanded all coalition forces in the war against ISIS in Iraq and Syria from 2015 to 2016, during which time coalition forces seized the initiative, recaptured nearly half of the enemy’s territory and set the conditions for the enemy’s final defeat. He was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Persons of 2016.
The live and online commemoration will be again hosted by former News Anchor Marc Bailey, musical performances, a wreath laying, and missing-man flyby. We are honored to host Megan’s family, many of the Public Affairs Officers that served with her, and the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association.
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!
This Memorial Day 2022 is finally upon us and we are so grateful to those on our Board of Trustees, our Docents, Volunteers, our Office Staff, and our new Executive Director Neil O’Connell, who’s been leaning forward and improving our Association and Memorial.
We often get asked about “What’s next?” in reference to decreasing plaque spaces on our eleven walls. Well, we’ve started a program extending and building new walls to accommodate many more plaques. There are multiple designs “on the planning board” and we hope soon to have a final design. We’re diving back into our youth and education programs and have greatly increased our number of Docents, who’ve been amazing at educating and entertaining the public with stories about each of our honorees at the Memorial. Lastly, we’ve been so fortunate that Papa Doug Manchester came up with an idea to place benches on top of the Memorial and we have completed the first granite bench.
We are so thankful of so many groups that we’ve partnered with and are looking forward to future events and projects with them. From the USS Midway Museum, to Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, to the many World War II, Korea and Vietnam War veterans of Honor Flight San Diego. We are proud to be a part of some amazing synergies ensuring that we tell the stories of those who fought and died for our American freedoms and protected the citizens of so many countries across the globe. It is truly important to uphold their legacies, so they are not forgotten.
Lastly, our success has been due to the supporters like you that have made this year possible, and I hope I can count on your continued support and generosity. By making a tax-deductible contribution today you help us continue our mission to preserve the Memorial and honor our veterans.
Whether helping from home or at the Memorial, we thank you for your support.
Please take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to remember why we have this day off, and to reflect upon our fallen and their families.
Phil Kendro
President & CEO
Mt Soledad Memorial Association
