San Diego will honor its Military this Memorial Day Weekend 2011 with a variety of ceremonies and events throughout the county. It is important that we take the time to remember and celebrate those who have served and those who have fallen in order to provide us the freedom that we enjoy in this great country.

The Midway Museum on the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego will hold a Wreath Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, May 28 beginning at 9 a.m. The ceremony is free to the general public and will feature youngsters from the audience, active duty personnel and veterans presenting biodegradable wreaths over the side to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for America; keynote speaker Rear Admiral John Sadler, Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces; meet and take photos with military men and women in uniform; and presentation of colors by an award-winning high school ROTC program.

The 2nd Annual American Freedom Festival San Diego will be held on Saturday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. aboard the Midway Museum. The fundraising event features Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins with special guest, the U.S. Army’s own, Rena Marie Cunningham. Tickets are available online and General Admission is $79, $69 for Museum Members, and $129 for Gold Circle which includes preferred seating and autographed memorabilia. Proceeds from the event go to Veterans Village of San Diego, San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Big Brothers Big sisters of San Diego County, United Through Reading and other local charities supporting our Veterans.

Have some outer space fun when San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park hosts its 2011 Space Day Celebration Saturday, May 28 starting at 10 a.m. Event includes: Drive a Mars Rover, Build & Fly a Paper Rocket, Talk to Space Experts, Design Your own Space Patch, Coloring, Free Posters, Giveaways, and meet real live astronaut (Woody Spring from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.). Kids 17 and under are free with a paid adult admission.

Scouts will place flags at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery on Saturday, May 28 beginning at 7:45 a.m.  Members of the military, veterans and the public are then invited to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Monday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. for the 111th annual Memorial Day Service. Live Music by the U.S. Navy Band will begin at 8:45 a.m. The one-hour program will include music, a wreath tribute, cannon and rifle salute, bagpipe soloist, and special readings for the occasion. The keynote speaker will be Rear Admiral William Douglas French, US Navy Commander, Navy Region Southwest.

Another event being held at Balboa Park is the 31st annual Ethnic Food Fair at the International Cottages on Sunday, May 29 starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy a variety of tasty ethnic food including empanada, quiche and apple strudel, as well as music and dance from around the world, and much more!

On Monday, May 30 at 12:30 p.m. at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center on Park Boulevard, names of those Active Duty who have passed away in the previous month as well as all San Diego County Veterans who have passed away will be read during a memorial. Taps will be played and a 21-gun salute will be fired.

Greenwood Memorial Park will hold a Memorial Day service at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 30 at the cemetery,located at 4300 Imperial Avenue in San Diego, in partnership with the American Legion San Diego Post 6.  The event is free and open to the public.

Children will march in the Kensington Memorial Day Parade along Marlborough Drive between Adams Ave and Palisades Road in Kensington.

“One Ocean” will feature SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales as ambassadors of the sea, and the ocean as the center of our natural world. The show will connect guests with these remarkable animals and immerses the audience in the vivid colors and sensations of the underwater world. “One Ocean,” depicted in this artistic illustration, is scheduled to premiere at SeaWorld San Diego on Memorial Day weekend 2011.

Elsewhere in San Diego County – In Oceanside, the Veterans Association of North County will hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30, 2011. In La Jolla, the Mount Soledad Memorial Day Ceremony is planned for Monday, May 30, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. on Mt. Soledad.

Whether you head out to one of these great Memorial Day events in San Diego or celebrate in your own manner, please take the time to thank military friends and family members and remember those who have given their lives for our beautiful country and the freedom we enjoy every day!