Memorial Day Activities in San Diego 2011

Memorial Day in San Diego County is very special indeed.  San Diego is the largest military area in the nation with nearly 200,000 active duty and retired military.  We salute those who have died in the defense of our country on May 30th.

Turn on your sound and enjoy Lee Greenwoods “God Bless the USA.”

Memorial Day officially began in Waterloo, New York on May 5, 1866.  It has been a continued tradition each year since that date.
The brunt of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been shouldered by San Diego military personnel carrying the fight to our enemies.  The 3rd Battalion of the Fifth Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton has had dozens of its troops wounded or killed, more than any other unit in recent years.
Here in San Diego County, we certainly know how and why we honor our nation’s finest.  We visit cemeteries,  fly our flag at half mast, and if you really want to participate you can pause at 3 p.m. on May 30th and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our great freedoms.  We are also most thankful that thousands of our local men and women return home from their combat tours to their families and San Diego neighborhoods and try to settle into a normal real living lifestyle.
As a Realtor selling San Diego North County homes, I have set up special web pages to offer help and a Military Discount to those are serving our country.

See this pages at:

To get a personal tour of San Diego North County homes, contact Gary Harmon, you military off base housing expert.

Some Memorial Day Activities in San Diego 2011

Balboa Park: Continued reading of names of veterans from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Museum & Memorial Center.

Balboa Park: Remembrance ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Monday featuring guest speakers, the national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, retiring the colors and taps. Museum open from noon to 6 p.m.; admission fees required. (619) 239-5977.

Bonita: A fly-over by vintage planes precedes a memorial at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Roses on May 31. Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita. (619) 498-4600.

Chula Vista: A Veterans Memorial will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Monday at Mater Dei Catholic High School. 1615 Mater Dei Drive. The dedication honors those Marian/Mater Dei Catholic Alumni who have served their community and country and in memory of two alum who where killed in action in Vietnam. (619) 423-2121, ext. 117.

Del Mar: The Del Mar Community Memorial Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday. Captain Brian C. Schexnayder, USMC, will be the guest speaker. At the end of the service, deceased military members will be remembered during the Memorial Roll Call, which concludes with a performance of taps. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 334 14th St., Del Mar. (858) 279-5458.

Coronado: 10 a.m. service Monday hosted by the Coronado VFW at Star Park, one block off Orange Avenue at Star Park Circle and Loma Avenue. (619) 865-4809.

Coronado: 1 to 3 p.m. concert Monday featuring the Coronado Big Band at the Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First St. (619) 435-8895.

Escondido: American Legion Post 149 will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 2640 Glenridge Road. (760) 745-1159.

Julian: Observance from 11 a.m. to noon Monday at Julian Pioneer Cemetery, A Street at Farmer Road. Potluck afterward at American Legion Post 468, 2503 Washington St. (760) 765-0126.

La Jolla: Program from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Monday at Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive S. Plaque presentation will honor Col. Bob Howard, a recipient of the Medal of Honor. (858) 459-2314 or soledadmemorial.com.

Lakeside: 11 a.m. ceremony Monday at Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carter-Smith Post 5867, 12650 Lindo Lane. Special guests include Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Lakeside; county Supervisor Dianne Jacob; Assemblyman Joel Anderson; Maj. Gen. T.L. Conant; and Nick Popaditch. Also will include display of Navy helicopter, Marine band performance and refreshments. (619) 443-0556.

Oceanside: Indoor Mass, 8 a.m. Monday at Mission San Luis Rey Parish, 4070 Mission Ave. An all-you-can-eat, $1.99 pancake breakfast follows from 9 to 11 a.m. in the dining room, and Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery, 4050 Mission Ave., will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. for visitation and tours. (760) 757-3651.

Point Loma: Annual Memorial Day Service and Day of Remembrance ceremony, 8:45 a.m. Monday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Guest speaker will be Brig. Gen. Ron Bailey, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s Western Recruiting Region. (619) 553-2084, ext. 4000.

Poway: Memorial Day Remembrances are part of Sunday services at 8, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Marine Maj. Brian Gilbertson, a Bronze Star recipient and Iraq war veteran, will be the featured speaker at a special forum at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall. St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road. (858) 487-2159.

Rancho Bernardo: Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Monday hosted by Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial Association at Webb Park, on Avena Place off Bernardo Center Drive. Will include flag ceremony, the Camp Pendleton honor guard and the Rancho Bernardo High School choir. Speaker will be Marine Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson. (858) 674-1711.

San Marcos: VFW Post 3795 will host a service at 11 a.m. Monday, San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served afterward at the VFW post, 212 W. Mission Road. (760) 744-3795.

Solana Beach: The city and VFW Post 5431 will host a ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Monday at the Veterans Memorial in La Colonia Community Park, 715 Valley Ave. Highlights include a performance by the Santa Fe Christian School Band, Camp Pendleton Young Marines, the Col. Frank Brezina Venture Scout Crew No. 42 Color Guard and a special guest speaker, retired Air Force Col. Susan Thompson. Light refreshments will be served. (858) 720-2400.

San Diego: Annual Memorial Day observance will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road. (800) 352-2646.

San Diego: Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive. (619) 264-3127.

San Diego: San Diego Veterans for Peace, Hugh Thompson Memorial Chapter, will host an Arlington West Memorial on Monday at the USS Midway Museum lawn, at Broadway and Harbor Drive. Veterans will participate from 8 a.m. to dusk. The public is invited to assist with the placement of religious symbols and candles. Names of the fallen in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will be read. (858) 342-1964.

San Diego: An introduction by Rod Melendez will begin a ceremony that includes an invocation by Chaplain Darcy Povich, numerous speakers and the playing of taps from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Monday. Veterans Memorial, 2115 Park Blvd. (619) 239-2300.