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