The City of Coronado and Coronado Unified School District issued the following joint statement regarding military funeral processions:
To address security concerns and a sensitivity to the local children of deployed family members, the City of Coronado and Coronado Unified School District, with the support of Naval Base Coronado, are redirecting their participation in military funeral processions to other forms of support and encouragement for our military families.
Coronado is extremely proud of its relationship with the U.S. military. The Navy is an integral part of the Coronado community with three naval installations in town and many Navy service members and their children living in the City and attending local schools.
However, the highest priority for the City and School District is the safety and well-being of their citizens, children and guests. Due to the size, complexities and risk of public memorials for fallen service members, and the natural feelings of children whose families or friends are often deployed or otherwise in harm’s way, there will be no official, jointly organized City-School District involvement for locally held funerals.
The City and School District will continue to honor those Navy personnel killed in action but each agency in its own way and in actions taken throughout the year. Both agencies support local military members in numerous ways.
The City sponsors the Avenue of Heroes banner program to honor residents who served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The City also recently installed the “First Ashore” statue at Glorietta Bay Park to honor early and current SEAL teams, and in previous years paid tribute to local military heroes, including Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, with memorials around Coronado. The City also participates in an annual Memorial Day ceremony at Star Park and sponsors an annual Wounded Warriors event at the Community Center, among other events.
The School District honors the military through numerous annual events and mentorship programs including its annual “Take a Veteran to School Day,” Naval Base Coronado’s “What Memorial Day Means to Me” essay contest, after school clubs for military children, and various “Month of the Military Child” activities in April.
The City respects the many ways individual residents, civic groups and organizations may choose to honor fallen military members. However, neither the City nor the School District will modify or publicize the funeral procession route.
This joint statement was released on February 16, 2017 and signed by City Manager Blair King and CUSD Superintendent Karl Mueller.
