SAN DIEGO — This World AIDS Day, San Diego marked a significant milestone with its first AIDS Memorial. The emotional and inspirational ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the new Olive Street Park in Banker's Hill on Sunday, culminating more than four decades of advocacy and planning.
The $2.3 million project includes a park, playground, ribbon-shaped pathway and a memorial honoring those who have passed and those who have fought against AIDS.
Nicole Murray Ramirez, founder and co-chair of the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force, emphasized the importance of the memorial.
"This will be an everlasting tribute, as we remember and honor those people," Ramirez said. "It took a village, but it was done."
The ceremony was filled with emotion as attendees remembered loved ones lost to AIDS. Susan Jester, co-chair of the taskforce, shared her personal experiences.
"I remember walking down a long hall at UCSD putting on a hazmat-like suit to visit in isolation a dying friend," she said. "I remember reading the obituaries every day to see who else was gone."
The memorial features boulders listing the names of AIDS organizations in San Diego and individuals on the AIDS Memorial Task Force. Plans are in place to add a memorial with the names of those lost to AIDS. It's expected to be completed by next World AIDS Day.
"We say to the over 9,000 San Diegan men, children, women who have passed from AIDS, 'We will never forget you, you live in our hearts and memories'," Ramirez said.
To add the name of a loved one lost to AIDS to the memorial, click here.