Existing comment:
Since then, the military services have occupied at least fifty-two different bases, posts, cantonments, camps, airfields and headquarters establishments in and around San Diego. Although a number of those no longer remain in use -- or even visible in many cases -- their imprint upon and importance to the community are indelible.
San Diego's contribution to the nation's effort during the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries has been similarly remarkable. Literally millions of young men and more than a few young women have received their basic and advanced training here, have been stationed in San Diego, or have passed through on their way to overseas assignments. How many of those have returned to San Diego to life, work, vacation or retire?
Unique to San Diego's military history is the involvement of the Chamber of Commerce, a private organization of leading businessmen that cultivated the idea of attracting the Armed Forces to San Diego as an essential element of urban development. Their drive and ultimate success laid the foundation for our martial metropolis and created modern San Diego. This small exhibit attempts to capture some of that history and present it in an enlightening and enjoyable way. |