Vietnam Veteran, former POW, and author Henry James Bedinger,
Commander, United States Navy (ret) to be honored
SAN DIEGO (October 19, 2023) – The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will mark this year’s Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. with a ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans and commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. The event will feature two highly decorated veterans who served in Vietnam: former United States Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr. and retired U.S. Navy Commander and former Prisoner of War Henry James Bedinger.
As an official partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, an initiative authorized by Congress, the ceremony will honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans and their families, with special recognition paid to Vietnam-era veterans, Prisoners of War, and those still Missing in Action.
Our Keynote Speaker, former U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr., served in Vietnam as an Airborne Ranger and Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. He received a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for his heroic combat service. Mr. Brewer went on to become a prominent San Diego litigator after receiving his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He then served as the Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County and Assistant District Attorney for California’s Central District. On January 16, 2019, he was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.
This year’s Honoree and Special Guest Speaker is Henry James “Jim” Bedinger, Commander, U.S. Navy (ret). Mr. Bedinger served in Vietnam as an A-4 Radar Intercept Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation. On November 22, 1969, he was forced to eject over Laos. He was taken as a Prisoner of War and was held at Hoa Lao for 1,223 days until his release through Operation Homecoming.
Mr. Bedinger continued to serve his country in various assignments, including at the Pentagon and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired on August 1, 1989, from the Naval Training Center San Diego and continues to call San Diego home. He is also the author of Patriot, Prisoner, Survivor: An American Family at War. The book recounts his experiences of heroism, endurance, and the shared struggle in the fight for freedom. The book serves as a reminder of an individual’s impact on the course of history. You can learn more about the book at https://bit.ly/46vNQVi.
The public is encouraged to attend this free event. Free parking will be available at the Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church and the French American School.
About Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial stands high atop the coastal peak of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, California. The Memorial’s mission is to honor our nation’s veterans and preserve their legacy. It is the only Memorial to do so for both living and deceased veterans. More than 6,000 personalized tributes to their service and sacrifice, beautifully engraved on black granite plaques, are mounted on 14 curved walls encircling the base of the 29’ cross at its center.
The Memorial is located at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr. South, La Jolla, CA 92037, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information about Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, visit www.soledadmemorial.org.
Link to imagery: https://bit.ly/
