BLADENSBURG, Md. — A new Pearl Harbor memorial has been unveiled at Memorial Grove Park in Prince George’s County, replacing an aging wooden marker with a lasting tribute — thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Ethan Mendoza.
The memorial, designed and constructed by Mendoza as part of his Eagle Scout project, was officially dedicated on Memorial Day. Inspired by a childhood visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, Mendoza sought to honor the 2,403 Americans killed during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, which launched the United States into World War II.
At the center of the new memorial is an anchor that symbolizes the seven U.S. naval ships sunk during the surprise attack. The dedication ceremony included remarks from Renee Green of the Bladensburg Patriotic Committee, Commander Cynthia De Leon, the Bladensburg Police Department Honor Guard, members of the Bladensburg Town Council, local officials, Maryland State Sen. Malcolm Augustine and Del. Diana Fennell. Each speaker offered moving reflections in memory of those lost at Pearl Harbor and in support of the nation’s veterans.
With support from Boy Scout Troop 257 and the community, Mendoza secured the funding and resources needed to bring his memorial vision to life. The Town of Bladensburg extended its gratitude for his leadership and dedication in creating a tribute worthy of the lives it honors.
Memorial Grove Park, located in Bladensburg, serves as a central site for reflection and commemoration. In addition to the newly installed Pearl Harbor tribute, the park also features the Bladensburg 9/11 Memorial Walk and is frequently used as a gathering space for ceremonies honoring veterans and fallen service members.
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