SOLANA BEACH — Belly Up has teamed up with Solana Beach and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5431 to raise funds for a courtyard to honor service members.
Donnie Edwards, a former linebacker with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, will host the May 19 event that begins at 5 p.m. and features The Fabulous Pelicans, a classic rock band.
The cost is $25 per person.
Plans for the Veterans Honor Courtyard at La Colonia Park are complete, but $200,000 is needed before construction can begin.
To date, about $16,500 has been raised.
Recognition for veterans was previously included in a $4 million improvement plan for La Colonia Park and Community Center, but that project is on hold indefinitely because of a lack of funding.
Money was to come from the city’s redevelopment agency, but Gov. Jerry Brown abolished those agencies in 2011.
Council members approved plans for what was originally slated to be a veteran’s memorial in 2012 after a community group asked if the project could move forward apart from the La Colonia renovation.
Councilman Mike Nichols said the name was changed because it was not necessarily meant to be just a memorial.
It will honor all U.S. veterans living and deceased, as well as those who are currently serving.
The courtyard will feature a stone veneer wall with military seals behind a reflecting pool. Water will “sheet” over the wall into the pool.
As proposed, there will also be a flagpole with a dedication plaque, a central medallion with a “In honor of those who served” statement, seating and a main entrance with decorative pilasters and an iron arch.
Personalized 1-foot square tiles will be installed in the courtyard to honor service members. The cost is $300 each.
Visit vetshonor.org for more information on the courtyard and bellyup.com to buy tickets for the fundraiser.
