As Memorial Day weekend approaches, San Diegans can participate in numerous events to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
The USS Midway Museum will kick off its commemorative activities on Saturday at noon, featuring a live performance by the Imperial Valley Master Chorale on the flight deck.
In addition, San Diego FC is set to host a match against LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1:45 p.m.
On Sunday, visitors to the USS Midway Museum will have the unique opportunity to meet aviators, asking questions about the aircraft they once flew, starting at 10 a.m.
Miramar National Cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day service at 1 p.m., where Vice Adm. Dan Cheever, the commander of Naval Air Forces, will serve as the guest speaker. This solemn event will reflect on the sacrifices of over 30,000 veterans and their families interred at the cemetery.
In sports, San Diego Wave FC will face North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium at 7 p.m.
Monday promises to be a day filled with remembrance activities. The USS Midway Museum will host a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony at 9 a.m., featuring World War II Navy veteran guest speakers.
The National Anthem will be performed by a vocalist from Navy Band Southwest, followed by a poignant “missing man flyover” and the tossing of a memorial wreath over the side of the ship.
Throughout the day, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band will perform at noon, followed by Bonita Vista High School’s Music Machine at 12:30 p.m., and ultimately a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.
Also on Memorial Day, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Although the federal military cemetery no longer accepts new interments, it remains the final resting place for historic figures, including 19 men who fought in the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual and 23 Medal of Honor recipients.
Simultaneously, the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial will conduct its annual Memorial Day ceremony, featuring music from Marine Band San Diego, a solemn 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps. This year, a tribute will be made to San Diego native Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer and her shipmates who perished during the USS Cole attack on October 12, 2000.
Neil O’Connell, the executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, expressed the significance of Memorial Day. “It’s a sacred day of remembrance, a time to honor those who gave everything for our freedom,” he stated.
O’Connell highlighted this year’s observance of the 25th anniversary of the USS Cole attack and emphasized the importance of honoring the 17 brave sailors who lost their lives, representing the thousands of military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony at Mount Soledad will feature remarks from the Command Master Chief of the USS Cole at the time of its attack, James Parlier, and the ship’s Executive Officer Chris Peterschmidt. Additionally, Rear Adm. Justin A. Kubu, Commander of the Unmanned Task Force, Naval Surface Forces, US Pacific Fleet, will deliver the keynote address.
Attendees are expected to include Gold Star family members of fallen service members, as well as survivors of the USS Cole attack.
To facilitate attendance, public transportation services will be enhanced.
MTS will boost Green Line service to and from Snapdragon Stadium for the sporting events on Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday, MTS will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule for its buses and trolleys, reverting to regular weekday schedules on Tuesday.
For a touch of nostalgia, the transit agency’s vintage trolley will be in operation on the Silver Line that day. The iconic red San Diego Trolley, 1001 U2, will run a downtown loop, with the Silver Line Vintage Trolley departing from the 12th & Imperial Transit Center every hour, starting at 9:07 a.m. and concluding with its last trip at 3:07 p.m.
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