This month, Coronado is honoring its 19th group of Avenue of Heroes honorees, adding 16 banners along Third and Fourth streets to celebrate those who have served the nation while calling the city home.
The Avenue of Heroes banners, which stretch from Orange Avenue to Naval Air Station North Island, honor Coronado residents who have served in the military.
“Celebrating our hometown heroes allows the city of Coronado and the community to honor the many men and women who have lived in Coronado before, during, or after their military careers,” City Manager Tina Friend said at the Nov. 2 Avenue of Heroes Ceremony. “The Avenue of Heroes is truly remarkable, and listening to their stories…is profoundly moving.”
The Avenue of Heroes program, introduced in 2014, has honored 277 individuals to date, with banners installed biannually around Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May, provided there are sufficient nominations.
The program emerged from a spontaneous act in 2011 when two fallen Navy SEALs were moved to their final resting place. The sight of Fourth Street lined with American flags and a lone Navy SEAL saluting crystalized the street’s identity as a living memorial.
Since its official launch in May 2015, the Avenue of Heroes program has been coordinated by volunteers from the Coronado Historical Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422 and the Third and Fourth Streets Neighborhood Association.
Their work, sponsored by the City of Coronado, extends from selecting honorees to planning ceremonies and coordinating the design and installation of banners.
With a naval presence dating back to 1917 and a population of more than 36,000 active duty, reserve and civilian workers at Naval Base Coronado, the city’s connection to military service runs deep.
Nominations for Avenue of Heroes banners are accepted year-round, encouraging families, friends and neighbors to honor veterans or active service members who have been part of the Coronado community.
“The Avenue of Heroes Committee works with the individuals who sponsored the honorees, who provide the biographies.” Andrea McCullough, City of Coronado communications and engagement officer, said via email. “The Committee members then send that information to the City liaisons for print.”
This November’s honorees included Robert E. Adamson, Frank Androski, Gerald B. Blanton, William Broughton, William L. Calhoun, Clinton J. Coneway, Bart Gardella, Robert R. Morton, Patrick “Murph” Murphy, William “Bill” Parry, Joe Rizza, Jacob J. Rosales, James F. Saxton, Rocky Spane, II, Robert J. Spane and James O. Strickland III.
The November 2024 Avenue of Heroes Ceremony program can be found here.
