New walls unveiled at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in La Jolla

The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Association has constructed five new memorial walls at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial, making a significant amount of new plaque spaces available to honor veterans who have served in the U.S military.

“The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial is the only veteran’s memorial in the United States that honors veterans, living and deceased, from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in the Middle East,” said Bruce Bailey, President and CEO of the Memorial Association. “The thousands of plaques on the walls honor the commitment, devotion and, in many cases, the ultimate sacrifice of those who answered the call to serve in the military.”

Construction of the five new walls began in November, 2012 and has just been completed. The new walls will accommodate more than 2,400 new plaques that can be individually purchased to honor those who have served and have been honorably discharged from all branches of the military. The new wall plaques will be sold for $1,800 (16”x18”); $1,200 (12”x8”); and $950 (8”x8”). There are only 70 plaque spaces still available on the original walls at prices that are less than the new wall prices.

The six original Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial walls were dedicated in 2000 and consisted of space for more than 3,200 black granite plaques. Veteran plaques on the original walls, which include a photograph of the veteran and a brief summary of their military experience, include 14 Medal of Honor recipients; Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Ford and Reagan; Admirals Stockdale and Halsey; Generals Pershing and Patton; Hollywood celebrities who have served including Audie Murphy and Jimmy Stewart; and more than 3,000 other veterans with names that are not widely familiar, but who proudly served our country.

Eligibility for inclusion on the walls is based on service in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Proof of service is determined by discharge papers (DD-214). Additional information about purchasing plaques can be obtained by contacting the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association at (858) 459-2314 or by viewing the association web site at soledadmemorial.com