The USMC Memorial Foundation proudly celebrates the 47th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Memorial with a special performance by Dave Bray USA™!
We will honor distinguished guests Jim Blane and Al Jennings, veterans of Iwo Jima. Additionally, Medal of Honor Recipient Drew Dix and representatives from the Center for American Values will be in attendance.
Experience the event up close by becoming a VIP! Sit in the exclusive Circle of Honor with Dave Bray USA™ and our esteemed honorees. VIP seating is limited to 200 guests (including plus ones).
To attend as a VIP, donate using the “Buy a Brick” option from June 1st, 2024, through August 23rd. Larger bricks receive closer seating. If you bring a plus one, donate an additional $50 and note it’s for a plus one. Please include your phone and email for any necessary contact.
General admission seating is limited to 500 guests. Bring your own chair or sit on the grass. Proof of a $50 donation per person, made between June 1st, 2024, and August 23rd, is required for entry. Ground seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Donate $50 or more by August 23rd to receive general admission to the anniversary celebration. Use the button below to donate.
Donate a brick to the Memorial remodel to receive VIP seating. Use the button below to donate a brick.
Sponsor opportunities are available. Use the button below for more information. Email Paula Sarlls at president@usmcmemorialfoundation.org.
Admiral Harris served as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea from July 2018 to January 2021.
He served 40 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring on 1 June 2018. He joined the State Department 3 days later. From May 2015 to May 2018, he commanded U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). He is the first Asian-American to hold 4-star rank in the U.S. Navy and the first to head USINDOPACOM. He is also the first officer from the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community to achieve 4-stars. He previously commanded U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 6th Fleet, Striking and Support Forces NATO, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1, and Patrol Squadron 46. He participated in Operations Attain Document (Libya 1986), Desert Shield/Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Willing Spirit (Colombian hostage recovery 2008), and Odyssey Dawn (Libya 2011). A Naval Flight Officer, Harris has flown over 4400 hours, including over 400 combat hours.
From 2011 to 2013, as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Harris served as the direct representative of the Chairman to Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. Traveling to over 80 countries with the Secretary, he participated in most of the Secretary’s meetings with foreign leaders. Concurrently designated as the U.S. Roadmap Monitor for the Mid-East Peace Process (Oslo Accords), he travelled monthly to Israel to meet with Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders to assess conditions.
His personal decorations include the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, the CIA’s Agency Seal Medal, the CIA’s Ambassador’s Award, and numerous DoD and Navy awards. He received the Republic of Korea’s Tong-il Order of National Security Merit in 2014 and the Gwanghwa Order of Diplomatic Service Merit in 2021. He was awarded Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun, First Class. As part of Australia’s 2018 Special Honors List, he was awarded the Order of Australia. He has also been decorated by France, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Nationally recognized for his work as a champion of diversity, he was awarded the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award from Tufts University in 2021.
Harris was born in Japan, reared in Tennessee and Florida, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978 where he was a varsity fencer. Awarded master’s degrees from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, he did post-graduate studies at Oxford University and completed the Seminar 21 fellowship at MIT. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Council of American Ambassadors.
Harris’ father was a career U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Harris’ mother was Japanese and became an American citizen in 1974. He is married to Ms. Bruni Bradley, herself a career Naval officer.
Michael Medina was born in California and relocated to Houston, Texas. He completed recruit training in 2004 in San Diego and served through 2014.
His service included Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was forward deployed with Tank units in impressive maneuvers, followed by various training assignments leading to his receipt of the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his development of troops in leadership roles. His career culminated with significant implementation of new tactics and procedures for the fleet Marine Force through curriculum development to further evolve the Tank community.
Following his discharge Michael’s excellence transferred immediately to positions with the Department of Defense working with unexploded explosives removal in Guam and Hawaii.
Michaels career then transitioned to the construction industry where he rose quickly to National Director of Sales for Eco Roofing. In November of 2022 Michael opened M1A1 Construction services where he sits as the CEO of his own commercial roofing and construction company where he strives to bridge the gap on veteran unemployment.
In 2016, Kim traveled with a group that accompanied four WWII D-Day Veterans to Normandy, France for the 72nd anniversary of the allied landings. She returned stateside realizing that each military service story is unique, should be heard and should be archived. From that experience America’s Veteran’s Stories with Kim Monson was created. America’s Veteran’s Stories broadcasts on all KLZ platforms Sundays, 3-4pm and 10-11pm plus Saturdays 10-11pm. Kim has interviewed over 175 WWII Veterans in addition to Veterans from our other wars and conflicts.
Kim understands the importance of honoring those who have risked their lives and those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country. The United States Marine Corps Memorial remodel project in Golden is vitally important so that we and generations to come will remember and reflect upon our military, our veterans and our history. Kim is dedicated to do what she can to assist in this project.
Kim Monson is a warrior for “We the People.” She also hosts The Kim Monson Show which searches for Truth and clarity by looking at issues thru the lens of “Freedom vs Force, Force vs Freedom.” The Kim Monson Show broadcasts M-F, 6-8am, 1-2pm and 10-11pm on all KLZ 560 platforms: KLZ 560 AM, KLZ 100.7 FM, the KLZ website and the KLZ app.
Matt Mauro is a weeknight and political anchor in Denver. He anchors FOX31 News at 4 p.m. along with 2 Prime News at 7 p.m. on Colorado’s Very Own Channel 2. He’s also the host of a weekly political program, Colorado Point of View.
Mauro comes to Denver from KPNX, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix. There he anchored the morning show and was a part of the station’s consumer investigative unit, Call 12 For Action. He also spent six months hosting the afternoon news and lifestyle show, EVB Live.
Prior to Phoenix, Mauro was in the weekday morning anchor slot at KRQE/KASA in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he spent three years behind the desk of the city’s fastest growing wake-up show.
Mauro has also worked as a host and correspondent for Hollywood Dailies and Spotlight on ReelzChannel in Los Angeles and was a freelance host on various entertainment networks.
He started his career at KWCH-TV in Wichita, first as the bureau reporter/MMJ in Dodge City, followed by being the education reporter and eventually morning anchor on both KWCH and KSCW.
Mauro is a Tampa native who earned his BS in Telecommunications from the University of Florida.
The morning begins with a tour of the Memorial – Bus leaves the hotel at 9:30 AM and returns around 11:30-12:00. Light refreshments are served on board.
The tour includes a service dog welcome lining the Walk of Valor as guest make their way to the Circle of Honor for remarks Emceed by the Foundation Vice President, Sam Hickey. Music will be playing while the audience walks the grounds.
The evening begins with a social hour to mingle and get to know those attending and supporting the effort from 6PM to 7PM.
The dinner will begin at 7PM