On March 26th, the Burnham Community Dialogue took place at the Burnham Center for Community Advancement in downtownSan Diego. The subject for the morning's dialogue focused on The Military’s Impact & Legacy on the San Diego Region. Those in attendance found it to be a meaningful and inspiring gathering—bringing together military personnel, veterans, elected leaders, service organizations, and community members to honor, learn, and take action.
San Diego’s military presence is deeply woven into our region’s economy, culture, and community—with more than 100,000 active-duty service members and over 240,000 veterans calling San Diego County home. Our conversation underscored the importance of recognizing their contributions and ensuring ongoing support for them and their families.
We are grateful to Mayor Todd Gloria for his thoughtful and inspiring opening remarks, and to Mayor Ron Morrison of National City for his presence and support. We also thank the many elected officials and representatives who joined us in solidarity, including those from the offices of Senator Catherine Blakespear, Senator Akilah Weber, Assemblymembers Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, Tasha Boerner, and U.S. Representative Scott Peters. Senator Blakespear’s message, highlighting her Military Child Care Bill, reminded us of the vital policy work underway to improve the lives of military families.
A big thank you to our outstanding moderator and panelists, who brought insight, experience, and passion to the discussion:
• Moderator: Drew Schlosberg, Host of Spotlight on the Community Podcast
• Rear Admiral David Boone, CEO, San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC)
• Ashley Camac, CEO, Zero8Hundred
• Captain Brian "Beef" Drechsler (Ret.)
• Executive Director, Navy SEAL Museum San Diego
• Tony Teravaninen, Co-Founder & CEO, Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)
• Laura White, President, USS Midway Foundation
| Their contributions, along with moving stories from veterans, military spouses, and active-duty personnel, helped shine a light on the complex realities of military life - and he community-wide opportunities we have to offer support and connection. We also want to recognize and thank the many Veteran Service Organizations who joined us during the breakfast reception and resource fair: Shelter to Soldier, Armed Services YMCA San Diego, So Say We All, National Veterans Transition Services (REBOOT), Zero8Hundred, STEP, Veterans Navigation Center, San Diego Veterans Coalition, and Workshop for Warriors. Here's how we can continue to move forward together: • Raise awareness about available services for veterans and military families • Support organizations that provide critical resources - from mental health to transition support • Advocate for policies that directly impact military families • Engage with the veteran community - listen to their stories, amplify their voices, and create space for connection If you would like to stay connected, kindly visit: Burnham Center for Community Advancement Photography by Gilda Adler | |
