The Manhattan Beach City Council has chosen the design and location for a memorial to honor those Manhattan Beach service members who died on active duty.

 

The council voted, 5-0, to select James Dinh’s "Portal of Honor" design for the memorial. Dinh's "Portal of Honor" is designed as an open book, symbolizing remembrance and the stories of those who gave their lives. Its central feature will be a soldier silhouette cutout around two stone panels with three glass windows. The design includes dedication text and plaques listing the 21 fallen service members connected to Manhattan Beach and military branch seals, with space reserved for future names. 

The memorial will be located at the south end of Civic Center Plaza, near the stairs down to 13th Street. 

The council approved the design with a request for the artist to amend the design with larger light panes and a possible QR code that could provide additional information about the individuals honored. 

The project was initiated by community member and former Manhattan Beach Historical Society president Gary McAulay. The project and Dinh's design earned approval from Manhattan Beach's Cultural Arts Commission and its Art in Public Places Committee. 

The project will be funded by Manhattan Beach's Public Art Trust Fund (a fund that was established through a dedicated 1% development fee) and does not impact the city's General Fund.