Mount Soledad Veteran's Memorial Ceremony 2010

"Hi, dad...hi, grandpa...hi, brother," said several men and women as they placed bouquets of flowers beside black granite plaques on the Memorial Walls at the Mount Soledad Veteran's Memorial Day Ceremony, the windy afternoon of May 31. Some visitors traced their fingers over the plaques, where photographs and engraved summaries of military experience, honor approximately 3,000 veterans; reflecting service spanning from the Civil War forward, to include the current conflicts in the Middle East.

"I'm on Wall F", said 84 year old veteran Sam Nicosia whose plaque title read: Chief Gunners Mate with the U.S. Navy -- WWII -- Korea -- Vietnam, followed by a thick paragraph listing his earned medals and ribbons. Nicosia's plaque lay somewhere between the familiar faces of Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart and General Patton, Jr. "Not a bad location," said Nicosia smiling.

"I met Bob Hope in his USO show...they came into the hospital in Alameda, California in 1945... they put on a show in the Alameda naval hospital." Nicosia posed for a photograph and pointed to a plaque engraved with the names of his three drafted brothers. Was Sam also drafted? "No, I volunteered when they were drafted," said Nicosia who served from 1942 through 1971.

The Mt. Soledad Memorial Day ceremony, whose motto is: "If you love freedom, thank a veteran and the active military", typically attracts 800 to 1,000 attendees (this year was no exception) including: City, State and National officials, officers of the 75 veterans' organizations in SD County, Medal of Honor recipients and the general public.

Veterans in attendance were asked to stand in acknowledgement of their service and received applause. Some of those acknowledged included individuals who had served in Vietnam, the Korean War, Iraq-Afghanistan Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and others. "Patriotic Overture" was performed by the Navy band - Southwest Brass Quintet, led by MU2 -- Joe Moore. "Present (and Retire) the Colors" were performed by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings Color Guard.

"You've just seen the San Diego Salute T-34 Team Flyover perform the time honored "Missing Man" formation," said MSMA President Bruce Bailey during the closing
remarks after 4, T-34's flew, flawlessly, overhead.

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News & Politics

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• Memorial Day
• Bob Hope
• Jimmy Stewart
• Mt. Soledad
• Carolyn Grace Matteo
• Sam Nicosia