Mission

To enhance and preserve the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial honoring those veterans and active military who have served our country during times of conflict and to educate the general public about service to our country and the sacrifices that veterans make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

The Memorial Today

Veterans Memorial Walls at Mt. Soledad, La Jolla, CA

• Six concentric walls will ultimately hold 3,200 black granite plaques purchased by donors and engraved with the names and photos of war veterans - currently approximately more than 2,400 are in place

• Each plaque 'tells the story' of a veteran's military service or that of a group’s military service

• Unique memorial that honors veterans and active military - living and deceased - from all USA wars and conflicts

• Includes uniformed members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine

• Originally dedicated as Korean War Veterans Memorial

• Large American Flag proudly flies over the Memorial

• 23 bollards honor community and veteran organizations (no longer sold)

• Brick pavers honor veterans and supporters of Mt. Soledad (no longer sold)

• Open to the public

• Docents available

• Volunteer opportunities exist

Where Thousands Gather To Honor Our Veterans

Annual Event Programs on Memorial and Veterans Day

• Speakers from active and retired military

• Community and political leaders

• Military bands and color guards

• Spirited music from local groups

Special Events All Year Round

• Ceremonies for family and friends to honor veterans or groups whose plaques are installed on the Memorial Walls

• Gatherings for veteran reunions and other commemorative anniversaries

• Association speakers free of charge at your club, organization or group location or at the Memorial site

Location

A view that reaches out for miles . . .

From the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, 822 feet high above San Diego County, a 360-degree, awe-inspiring view stretches:

• South to panoramic views of San Diego, Coronado and beyond to Mexico,

• North to include University of California at San Diego, and Torrey Pines cliffs and golf course, to

• East to purple-hued mountains, and

• West to the Pacific waters at the shores of La Jolla

The Soledad Natural Park surrounds the memorial with:

• Wide-open grass areas,

• Benches on which to rest and enjoy the sights, and

• Descending nature walkways to view the native chaparral and abundant wildlife.

History

An Important Part of San Diego History

• First used as a Memorial Park in 1914

• Used by the Lindberghs for glider flights in the 1920's

• Part of the military's early-warning defense system in WWII

• 29-foot Latin cross dedicated on April 29, 1954 to honor Korean War veterans

• Long used by planes and ships for navigation

• Transferred to Federal Government August 14, 2006 as National Veterans Memorial

Original dedication ceremony on April 18, 1954

Mt. Soledad Memorial Association - honoring veterans since 1952

• Founded by The American Legion Post #275, La Jolla, California

• Designated as a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation

• Purchased land in 1992 at the top of Mt. Soledad, now the site of Veterans Memorial Walls

• Consistently selects veterans and community leaders to serve on Board of Trustees

• Sponsors annual Memorial and Veterans Day tributes

• Conducts Veterans Honor Ceremonies that honor veterans whose plaques are installed on the Veterans Memorial Walls