REDONDO BEACH VETERANS MEMORIAL
WELCOME!
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial honors our past, present and future veterans and memorializes the sacrifices they give to protect our country and way of life.
“When brave men and women return from war and all the speeches fade.
When flag-draped caskets have been lowered and the final words prayed.
There’s a need for a special place to honor the memory and service these fellow citizens made.“
– Larry Futrell, US Navy Veteran
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial
The Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, 11 November 2010, and continues to host the Redondo Beach Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies ever since.
It is located at Veterans Park (309 The Esplanade, Redondo Beach, CA 90277) on the southwest ocean-facing side of Torrance Boulevard and Catalina Avenue, just south of the Redondo Beach pier.
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force (RBVMT) was created to conceptualize, design, and build the Memorial via private donations and fundraising efforts. The RBVMT is a community-based, all-volunteer organization comprised of local veterans and citizens.
The public may purchase memorial bricks to honor veterans close to their hearts. All donations and brick proceeds are used for general maintenance and building additional Memorial features.
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter – we will update you on upcoming events, brick installations and personal stories about the bricks and the memorial.
Thank you for visiting our website and we hope you visit the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial in person, very soon.
Sincerely,
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force
Special thanks to
Klein Creative Media
for the fly over video of the
Memorial Day Project
Klein Creative Media YouTube Channel
Please Subscribe to 'Say Thank You'
Upcoming Event:
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 26, 2025 - 1p.m. (1300)
Please click on the map below to plan your visit to
the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial:
History
Building the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial
A Mission Accepted. A Mission Completed.
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, 11 November 2010, and today hosts Redondo Beach’s annual Memorial Day Ceremonies and Veteran’s Day remembrances.
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force (RBVMT) was created to conceptualize, design, and build the Memorial via private donations and fundraising efforts. The RBVMT is a community-based, all-volunteer organization comprised of local veterans and citizens.
The RBVMT’s Mission:
“To place in perpetuity, a memorial honoring all past, present and future veterans of the United States of America.”
2003 – The Redondo Beach City Recreation and Community Services Department staff and city volunteers organize a Veteran’s Day event in Veterans Park.
2004 – Ernie O’Dell, the Redondo Beach City Treasurer, recommends that access to Veterans Park be provided from the Rotunda, with a grand staircase leading directly to the park, and the future site of the new Veterans Memorial.
2005 – A conceptual design for the Veterans Memorial is submitted and approved by the Redondo Beach City Council. The conceptual design is refined and finalized by Associate City Engineer, Quong Dang.
2006 – The City Council approves the Memorial’s design and estimates construction costs of $250,000. The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force (RBVMT) is formally organized: John Simpson (Marine), Ernie O’Dell (Army), Chris Meyer (Air Force), Larry Futrell (Navy) and Colonel Felasco, RUHS Jr. ROTC commander (Marine).
2007 – Redondo Beach allocates $50,000 for the Memorial Project and the RBVMT agrees to match funds. The RBVMT adds Herb Masi (Army) and Peter Dabbieri (Navy) to coordinate the fundraising efforts and raises $65,000+ in ten months.
2008 – John Simpson is elected RBVMT Chairman, and regular meetings commence. Several professionals contribute to the project at reduced/no costs, including Dallas Covington (General Contractor), Deiter Thomas (Architect), Jim Parker (Electrical Contractor) and Terry Banning (Concrete). Many others volunteer their time and money towards the Memorial’s completion.
2009 – The City Council approves the final plans and issues a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to authorize the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force to raise additional funds and engage Covington Construction to build the Memorial.
2010 – Memorial Day – Mayor Mike Gin presides over the Memorial’s ground breaking ceremony and 71 days later the City of Redondo Beach and RBVMT celebrate its completion.
2010 – Veterans Day – After seven years of hard work and $250,000+ raised via public & private contributions, the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial is dedicated and opened to the public with approximately 400 people in attendance.
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial signifies countless hours of dedication by the RBVMT, Redondo Beach city employees and community members. Thank you for your continued diligence and service as thousands of visitors come to the Memorial each year and experience its special meaning.
The Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial now hosts annual Memorial Day Ceremonies and Veteran’s Day Remembrances and “serves as a perpetual memorial to honor all past, present, and future veterans of the United States of America.”