As we reflect on another eventful summer at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial (MSNVM), we are grateful for the incredible support and dedication from our community. The past few months have been filled with impactful ceremonies, educational programs, and opportunities for members to come together and honor our nation’s heroes. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this season:
This Memorial Day, we honored the brave Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (3/5), also known as the “Darkhorse” Marines. Based at Camp Pendleton, these heroes served in the Battle of Sangin, Afghanistan, from September 2010 to March 2011, during which they sustained the highest number of casualties of any unit in the Global War on Terrorism. Maj. Gen. Jason Morris, the Battalion Commander at the time, spoke at the event alongside other notable guests. The ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to the 25 Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we were proud to welcome over 1,500 attendees, the largest crowd to date for any Memorial event.
We are honored to spotlight Carolyn Graney, a dedicated docent who has been volunteering at the Memorial since 2014. A daughter of a Korean War veteran, Carolyn’s passion for history and veterans’ stories has made her an invaluable member of our team. She welcomes guests with warmth and listens to families share the stories of their loved ones, fulfilling our mission to preserve the memory of those who served.
We’re excited to introduce Katia Graham as our new Education Program Manager. With a background in library science and extensive experience in youth programming, Katia is leading our educational outreach efforts, bringing the stories of our honored veterans to students and youth groups through tours, literary projects, and more.
A major goal of the MSNVM Strategic Plan is to provide compelling educational programs for schools and the local community. This year, we partnered with the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans to host a week-long event, giving students an immersive experience at the Memorial. Additionally, students from the Children’s Choir of Tijuana visited the Memorial as part of a collaborative event with Mainly Mozart. These students learned about significant Hispanic veterans, including Sgt. Rafael Peralta and Medal of Honor recipient Col. Jay Vargas. Our education programs help foster patriotism, respect, and civic growth among young visitors.
Our Member Appreciation Reception was a success, bringing together supporters and team members at the Memorial to celebrate their contributions. With local establishments like Living Room Café and Societe Brewing generously donating food and beverages, attendees enjoyed meaningful conversations and connected with the Memorial team. We’re grateful for the positive feedback and look forward to our next event.
We’re excited to invite you to the upcoming Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, at 11 AM, followed by the San Diego Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11th, 2024, at 10 AM. Additionally, join us for the Member Appreciation Reception and Blue Angels Viewing on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at 2 PM at the Memorial. We hope to see you there!
