2020 Memorial Day Services Going On-Line
Fort Rosecrans, Miramar, Mt. Soledad, USS Midway
Live-Streaming Simulcast Tribute to Veterans, Front-Line Heroes
Memorial Day commemorations in San Diego are going virtual in 2020. With COVID-19 preventing large gatherings, four of San Diego’s most iconic locations are collaborating to hold the first online live-streaming tribute, May 25, to honor fallen military heroes and salute today’s frontline heroes.
The Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundations, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memoria, and the USS Midway will each hold approximately 15-minute tributes that will be seamlessly streamed live on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at www.sandiegomemorialdaylive.com.
“We recognized that we would not be able to conduct our normal Memorial Day commemorations this year, so we built a partnership with four iconic San Diego sites to create a unique virtual commemoration that is the only one of its kind in the country,” said Phil Kendro, a member of Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Association’s Board of Trustees. “We feel that it’s important that we always honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, as well as take the opportunity to give thanks to all of today’s frontline workers.”
Mark Bailey, National University’s Director of Public Safety Outreach and former San Diego news anchor, will host the ceremony from the decks of the Midway.
“On a Memorial Day unlike any our country has experienced before, we hope that all who view this program will be inspired to take a moment to remember and pay their respects to our veterans and active duty military, and to their families who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Carlos Inot, president and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation.
The hour-long virtual tribute will include remarks from local civic and military officials, Memorial Day video messages from state and national leaders, bagpipe and bugler performances, a wreath laying, and a missing-man flyby. Event participants will adhere to social distancing requirements. No public spectators will be permitted at Miramar National Cemetery or at any of the commemoration video locations.
Commemoration Schedule (subject to change):
Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery
Speaker: Brig. Gen. Ryan Heritage – Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Event: Invocation: Capt. Terry Gordon – Command Chaplain, Navy Region Southwest
National Anthem: Lance Cpl. Megan Browning – 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
Flyby: San Diego Salute Formation Team
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Speaker: Neil O’Connell – President, Mt. Soledad Memorial Association
Event: Tribute to fallen service members
Bagpipe tribute:Ian Kelly
Miramar National Cemetery
Speakers: Jared Howard – Director, Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemeteries
Robert S. Brewer, Jr. – United States Attorney, Southern District of California
USS Midway Museum
Speakers:Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar – Commander, Navy Region Southwest
David Nisleit – Chief of Police, City of San Diego
Event:Salute to fallen service members/75th anniversary of the end of WWII
Wreath-laying tribute to fallen heroes
Miramar National Cemetery
Event: Echo Taps (buglers): Cpl. James Dawson and Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Follman – 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
Missing Man Formation Flyby: San Diego Salute Formation Team
“This historic joint event will ensure that we will continue to remember and honor all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.”
Mac McLaughlin, president and CEO of the USS Midway Museum.