Military cemeteries around the region will honor the fallen this Memorial Day weekend with ceremonies and services, while the Padres, SDFC and San Diego Wave all host games. On Sunday, Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation will host the 15th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. The theme of this year’s ceremony is “America 250: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice.” The keynote speaker is U.S. Navy retired Cpt. Steve “Shep” Shepard, who served for 31 years as a Navy Intelligence and Targeting Officer. The one- hour event will include a National Anthem singer, a speech by Miramar National Cemetery Director Greta Hamilton, music by Westwind Band, a bugler to play Taps and a bagpiper to close out the ceremony. The ceremony is free to attend and open to the public. Miramar National Cemetery is located at 5795 Nobel Drive. On Monday, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m., featuring tribute and plaque dedication to United States Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick “Bob” Gallagher. From Ballyhaunis, Ireland, Gallagher immigrated to Long Island, New York, before enlisting in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. In 1966, Gallagher demonstrated “uncommon valor” when he threw his body over a live grenade to shield his fellow Marines during a surprise attack. Though he survived that act and was awarded the Navy Cross, he was killed in action just days before his tour of duty was set to end, a news release from the memorial read. “Cpl. Gallagher’s journey — from the shores of Ireland to the jungles of Vietnam — embodies the “American Story” of service and the enduring pursuit of liberty,” said Neil O’Connell, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association. “As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, Patrick’s legacy reminds us that the cause of freedom is a global call, answered by those who believe in the promise of this nation.” Gallagher’s legacy lives on with the USS Patrick Gallagher, an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer. Hospital Corpsman Frank Morelli, U.S. Navy (Ret.), fought alongside Gallagher in Vietnam. He will join members of the Gallagher family who are traveling from Ireland as Gallagher’s plaque is dedicated. Additionally, the San Diego Padres will honor Gallagher during the pregame ceremonies at their Memorial Day game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The tribute will feature a rendition of the National Anthem by Irish performer Máirtín de Cógáin and the colors presented by Gallagher’s Camp Pendleton-based 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is located at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South. To meet demand during the weekend, one of San Diego’s busiest, the Metropolitan Transit System will boost bus and Trolley service and on the holiday, MTS will run a Sunday schedule. Complete details of all routes can be found at sdmts.com/getting- around/service-changes. ...read more read less