Homecoming Candlelight Vigil at the War Memorial
Directions and Parking Info
The following are the addresses for the Student Veterans House and the War Memorial (next to the Conrad Prebys Student Union):
-Student Veterans House:5500 Hardy Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115
-Conrad Prebys Student Union: 6075 Aztec Cir Dr., San Diego, CA 92182
Parking will be around $2-$10 depending on how long you will be at the event.
-Student Veterans House:5500 Hardy Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115
-Conrad Prebys Student Union: 6075 Aztec Cir Dr., San Diego, CA 92182
Parking will be around $2-$10 depending on how long you will be at the event.
Big Thank you to Adrian Sanchez for putting this video together for us.
Homecoming Candlelight Vigil at the War Memorial
During the SDSU Homecoming Week, Aztec Alumni come back to SDSU and participate in a events with current Aztecs. It is a direct representation of the motto all new Aztecs hear when they arrive to SDSU: "Aztec For Life". However not all Aztecs can come back. Some have given that ultimate sacrifice for their country. In order to never forget any of our Aztecs, we have a War Memorial Monument here on campus right next to the Student Union by the Starbucks.
The monument is a three-sided reinforced concrete monolith faced with Sierra White granite standing 25 feet high. The sleek column, its broken and jagged top symbolizing untimely death, was designed by former SDSU art professor Jesus Dominguez. Its three sides are etched with the names of 239 former San Diego State students lost in service to their country during military conflicts: World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. More information on the monument at http://www.sdsualumni.org/s/997/index.aspx?sid=997&gid=1&pgid=472
A tradition was started in 2010 by U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Mark Daemon ('11), which we hold an all night candlelight vigil during Homecoming Week. We have a veteran and a ROTC cadet in military uniform or suit and tie to stand at parade rest in front of the war memorial from sunset to sunrise. We also have a wreath laying ceremony the morning of the candlelight vigil. This is to show reverence to our brothers and sisters who given up their lives for their country, but to also reinforce the idea of Homecoming: all Aztecs remembered; they are not forgotten, and all Aztecs are appreciated for their contribution to SDSU's 120-year history.
To remember our Aztecs who have died for their country, we, as student veterans, continue the 8-year tradition set by Mark Daemon. On October 19th, we will have our 8th Candlelight Vigil of the SDSU War Memorial. We will have a watch bill created for the veterans and for the ROTC. The watches are broken into 30 minute increments, for both an ROTC cadet and a veteran, beginning at 1800 (right before evening twilight) until 0700 (right after morning twilight) on October 19-20, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony will take place at 0900.
Our veterans will be in a suit and tie or in their dress uniform (optional). If you are in uniform as a veteran or retiree make sure your uniform is in regulations. We have a form for volunteers to pick their desired watch. Each volunteer can choose as many watch increments they feel they can successfully stand for. Remember this is a very honorable and reverent event you are participating in; we need all our volunteers to be able to stand at parade rest for the entire watch. You will need to be able to do a proper turnover of the watch (which is shown in the above video) with facing movements, responses, and order of movement. We will stage all watches for briefing at the Student Veteran's House which we will have coffee, food, snacks, and some other activities for those waiting for their watch. We will need about 4 standbys to be available at the house for no shows just in case. Don't worry; we take care of our volunteers.
If you have a desire to be apart of this event, please email us at [email protected]. We have a place for you. We hope to see you at this very special event. #SDSURemembers
