Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Neil O’Connell Honoring Service, Preserving Legacies

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Neil O’Connell, the driving force behind the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, is not your typical Executive Director. A Marine Corps veteran with a grandfather who served in WWI, Neil knows firsthand what it means to serve. He has seen the sacrifices, the hardships, and the unwavering dedication of service members within his family and throughout his career.

After retiring in 2012, he felt an intense need to continue fulfilling his sense of service and desire to honor those who had served, those who had served alongside him, and all the veterans who came before. This led him to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, where he quickly became captivated by its mission.

For Neil, the Memorial is more than a physical marker of a moment in time; it is a place where the stories of courage and sacrifice come to life. He believes everyone who visits should walk away with a deeper understanding of what it means to serve, not just on the battlefield but in every corner of our society – firefighters, teachers, doctors, and all those who dedicate their lives to improving our communities daily.

In addition to being a leader, Neil is a passionate advocate. He has infused the Memorial with life, making it a vibrant part of the community. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are not merely holidays at Mt. Soledad; they are opportunities for people to connect, share stories, and remember. You can feel the spirit of camaraderie there, a shared understanding of what it means to serve something bigger than yourself.

With more than 325,000 visitors expected this year alone, Neil and his team are always looking for ways to make the Memorial even more meaningful. Not only are they focused on the big battles, but they want to tell the personal stories of our veterans, the stories of courage, resilience, and the human spirit that define our nation. It is in these stories that Neil’s vision takes root – to ensure that the spirit of service lives on at Mt. Soledad, inspiring generations to come.

www.soledadmemorial.org

Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza is the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently she resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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