MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — A permanent tribute to Manhattan Beach's fallen military service members is moving closer to reality after the City Council unanimously approved a memorial featuring an open-book design and a soldier-shaped passageway.
The council voted 5-0 on Nov. 4 to select artist James Dinh's "Portal of Honor," which will stand at the southern end of Civic Center Plaza, near the stairs leading to 13th Street. The decision comes just ahead of Veterans Day on Wednesday.
According to the city's official staff report, the memorial will honor military personnel connected to Manhattan Beach who died while serving on active duty.
Dinh's design features two granite walls opening like the pages of a book, with a soldier's silhouette cut through their center. Visitors will be able to walk through the opening, creating what the artist envisions as a symbolic passage between remembrance and everyday life.
Standing approximately 7½ feet tall and 9 feet wide, the monument will incorporate three colored-glass windows, military branch seals and plaques bearing the names of 21 fallen service members on the city's preliminary list. Space will also be reserved for additional names.
Council members requested refinements to the design, including larger glass panels and consideration of a QR code that could provide visitors with biographical information about those being honored.
The memorial grew out of an initiative championed by community member Gary McAulay, who helped develop proposed eligibility criteria and compile the preliminary list of service members. The council formally directed work on the project in October 2023.
Three artists submitted competing designs, with Dinh's proposal ultimately winning the support of both the Arts in Public Places Committee and the Cultural Arts Commission. The advisory bodies favored its traditional appearance, durable materials and emphasis on remembrance.
The city allocated $150,000 from its Public Arts Fund in October 2025, and officials say that amount is sufficient for the project. Dinh's proposal, included in the council's agenda materials, estimates $100,000 for the artwork, with the city responsible for certain additional work, including engineering, foundations and installation.
The artist has proposed a dedication on Memorial Day, May 31, 2027, although the city has not confirmed that date. Officials must first finalize the design and complete the engineering, permitting, fabrication and installation process.
For a community that has spent years working toward a permanent tribute, the council's decision marks a significant step toward ensuring those who died in military service are remembered.
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