Menifee resident to honor nine who died in AAV sinking

Ken Stetson is a familiar sight on the corner of Newport Road and Haun Road. (File photo)

Ken Stetson can often be seen on a Menifee street corner, surrounded by American and military flags, paying tribute to his country on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This Friday, he has another special tribute planned.

Stetson will be on the northwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road from 2-6 p.m. Friday to honor the memory of eight Marines and one Navy corpsman who died in the sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) off San Clemente Island on July 30, 2020. To mark the first anniversary of that tragedy, Stetson will set up a display including two American flags, eight Marine service flags and one Navy service flag, along with the Battlefield Cross.

In addition, a bell will be rung once per minute from 5:45 p.m. (the time of the sinking) until 5:54 p.m. in honor of the nine fallen military personnel. A memorial flyover will be conducted from Skydive Perris.

Residents are invited to stop by, say hello to Stetson and pay their respects in honor of those who perished. Any memorial flowers left at the site will be transported the next day to the Menifee Veterans Memorial in Wheatfield Park.

Stetson promotes his efforts on Facebook under his personal name and under the name “America, My Home.”