Brig. Gen. Cardenas Honored at Unveiling of Statue at Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, Balboa Park
Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Cardenas, shown at right, was honored June 6, 2015, at the unveiling and dedication of a statue of his likeness at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park. Cardenas is chairman emeritus of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation.
Dennis Schoville, Foundation President & CEO, was master of ceremonies at the event, which was attended by some 100 veterans, members of the public, and members of the Cardenas family.
Artist Richard Becker sculpted the bust, which depicts a young Capt. Cardenas in World War II aviation headgear and uniform. Becker also designed the pedestal on which it rests.
The marble base of the statue provides a narrative of Cardenas’ life, and a list of his military medals, aviation honors, and civilian achievements. Foundation Public Information Officer Bill Heard composed the text displayed on the statue.
The Cardenas statue stands at the center of a circular monument dedicated to World War II flyers. The statue is located adjacent to a large model of a B-24 bomber, an aircraft among many that Cardenas piloted during his eventful career in the U.S. Air Force.
The monument, aircraft model and Cardenas statue are located across from the entrance to the museum at 2115 Park Boulevard, near the Inspiration Point shuttle bus stop.