Foundation Planning to Construct Veterans Tribute Tower and Carillon At Miramar National Cemetery
The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation has filed a request with the VA’s National Cemetery Administration to construct a memorial to America’s veterans. The planned 30-foot tall Veterans Tribute Tower and Carillon will stand on a knoll on the north side of Miramar National Cemetery.
A prominent San Diego-area veteran has made a major contribution toward construction of the Tribute Tower, whose cost is expected to be about $400,000. The Foundation also sought the public’s help to fund a memorial plaza, and the perpetual maintenance fund required by the VA.
“The Tribute Tower project is the latest and most ambitious project the Foundation has undertaken to make the cemetery a true ‘Garden of Heroes’, said Dennis A. Schoville, Foundation President and CEO. “ We plan to dedicate the Tribute Tower on Sunday, May 29, during the Veterans Memorial Service.”
In January 2012, the Foundation dedicated the Avenue of Flags, a display of 50 American flags unique to any national cemetery. The group also facilitated the dedication of the American Ex-Prisoners of War monument, and conducted a dedication ceremony for the first veterans’ monuments in the Memorial Walkway.
And in July 2015, the Foundation coordinated funeral services for Army Sgt. Charles Schroeter, a U.S. cavalryman who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in the Indian Wars in 1869. The Foundation also conducts an annual Veterans Memorial Service on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
The Veterans Tribute Tower’s striking design will feature gold inscriptions highlighted against the black metal structure. A 250-pound, custom-cast bronze bell, that can be rung electronically, or struck using a bell rope, will hang from the center of the tower. An electronic carillon will play “Taps” and other selections.
The Veterans Tribute Tower will stand on a landscaped plaza where visitors may gather to read the inscriptions on commemorative plaques. Benches will be available to those who wish to spend a few moments in contemplation.
The Support Foundation has contracted with The Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, to construct the Veterans Tribute Tower. Verdin has manufactured clocks, carillons, and bells since 1842 and now has more than 50,000 installations worldwide.
The Foundation also has been working with Patrick W. Caughey, President of Wimmer Yamada and Caughey Landscape Architects of San Diego, to provide landscape planning and plaza design services. The firm’s landscaping projects include the Unconditional Surrender Statue at Tuna Harbor Park, and projects at Camp Pendleton, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, and Travis Air Force Base.
“The Veterans Tribute Tower and Carillon will stand as a tribute to honor America’s veterans of the past, as a well-earned recognition of our present veterans, and as a salute to the active duty and reserve personnel who are our future veterans,” said Schoville.
Additional information about the Support Foundation is available at www.miramarcemetery.org. The Foundation is headquartered at 1245 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101. It is a 501 (c)(3) organization and a 509 (c)(1) public charity. Tax ID #65-1277308.
By Bill Heard
