Mt. Soledad Park and Veterans Memorial

This afternoon we went to visit a site that was said to offer views of San Diego like no other. I figured it would be nice to go up and shoot some panoramic photos of the vista, spend a little time in the adjacent park, and that it would be just like many of the other views we've run across throughout the trip. And don't get me wrong - as you can see the view was great, but little did I know how the site would touch me.

Mt. Soledad is a prominent landmark in the city of San Diego, Ca. At 822 feet above sea level, with 360-degree views for miles, it is a landmark that is used not only by commercial pilots flying into San Diego International, it also houses the transmitters for most local radio and tv stations, and was used as part of the early-warning defense system in WWII. Odd trivia reports that it was once used by the Lindberghs for glider flights in the 1920's, and that Mrs. Dr. Suess (Audrey Geisel) still lives up on the hill in a lavish house that was the last house that Dr. Suess ever lived in.

The park at the top of the mountain was first used as a Memorial Park in 1914, and in 1954 they built and dedicated a 29-foot cross to honor Korean War veterans. Finally, it was transferred to the Federal Government in 2006 as a National Veterans Memorial now run by the Department of Defense, and an amazing memorial it is. In our journey we've seen many war memorials, but this one had a much more profound impact on me than others - both for what it contains, and how it was presented.

The memorial is designed to be six concentric walls with 3,200 black granite plaques that tell the story of a veteran's (or the family of veteran's) military service. It honors U.S. Veterans both living and deceased that have been honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military. There are also bollards that honor community and veteran organizations, including groups of soldiers, like the Jedburghs, who parachuted into enemy occupied territory in 1944 in France and the Netherlands and helped arm 100,000 resitance members in the liberation fights, or a group of WWII Paratroopers who parachuted at Amfreville, France on the 50th year commemoration of the Normandy Landings, complete with a picture and paratrooper information.

I think the plaques and the way they are presented is the most endearing part of this place.  I love the etched photo - the purity in the memory of it. I am enthralled by the story presented in the words. I'm amazed that this may be one of the only memorials that doesn't require you to be gone to be a part of it, though clearly most of those memorialized are.  One of the most touching type of plaques to both Jill and I were the ones that featured husband and wife. With sayings like "Brought together by war -- kept together by love.", and "Together in war and peace.", they brought to mind some of the spectacular stories of WWII. I can almost see my grandparents in those photos.

Even once-ordinary soldiers that went on to become extraordinary statesmen are honored here.

Unfortunately, there is some controversy with the memorial, and apparently it might go all the way to the Supreme Court. In the middle of the memorial is a Latin Cross, first built in 1913 and restored twice. The court's opinion states that the Latin Cross in the middle of the memorial "primarily conveys a message of government endorsement of religion that violates the Establishment Clause" of the Constitution. (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit). The case is expected to go to the Supreme Court. Now, I'm not one to get in the political mess of those kinds of actions, but I can say this -  I never once felt that religion was being endorsed by the government while I was there. The memorial felt right, and proper, and true. To me, I think that's good enough not to have to argue about it.

If you're ever in the area, take the small detour up the hill above Mission Bay to wander amongst the plaques. You can learn more about the location here: http://www.soledadmemorial.com/.

Even if you don't know any of the soldiers on the walls, I'd bet you'll be moved by what it takes, or took, to Serve.