Memorial Day Event Honors Marines Lost in Afghanistan

The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will honor U.S. Marines who were killed in combat while serving in Sangin, Afghanistan, from 2010 to 2011.

The Marines were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, known as “Darkhorse,” which is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.  The unit’s deployment to Afghanistan became the deadliest of the entire war, in which 25 Marines were killed in action, and more than 200 others were wounded.

Event Speaker and Emcee

Maj. Gen. Jason Morris, currently the Director of Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps, will be the keynote speaker.

Morris previously served as the Battalion Commander for 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Sangin and his most recent assignment was as the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the Western Recruiting Region here in San Diego.

The Emcee, Chip Reid, is an American broadcast journalist who served as a CBS News National correspondent, White House Correspondent, and with NBC News.

For more than three decades, Chip has traveled the world, reporting from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, and even the island of Tarawa.

Chip recently wrote the book Battle Scars, a tribute to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, with whom he was embedded during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

A Unique Venue

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Mt Soledad Memorial Association, and since their dedication in April 1954, they have committed to preserving the memory and legacy of our veterans’ service and sacrifice.

The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is one of the most unique veterans’ memorials in the nation and stands high on La Jolla’s Mt. Soledad, offering panoramic views of San Diego County.  

See you there!

Everyone is invited to this free event on May 27. Free parking is available at the Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church and the French American School.

The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is located at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South, La Jolla, and is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM.

See you there, San Diego!