A very obvious attraction along Harbor Drive is an elevated plaza with a sign saying ?A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military?. In the plaza is a crowded scenario with life-sized statues of the World War II veterans. At the center of the crowd is Bob Hope's huge bronze statue holding a mic.

Hope was a legendary comedian and singer at the height of war. He was oftentimes assigned to places where the soldiers are fighting for peace. During his career, he was able to perform hundreds of USO events starting in 1941. He was a witness to a number of wars aside from the WW II like the Gulf War and the Battle of Leyte.

Hope was a symbol of democracy and in 1999, former US President Bill Clinton awarded him with the rank of Honorary Veteran. He was 94 years old at that time. He died in 2003 at the age of 100.

Also in the plaza are 15 other statues of war veterans with diverse backgrounds, races, and designation. All of the statues are placed in such a way that it gives tourists an opportunity to take pictures with them. One figure holding placard says ?Thanks for the memories, Bob?.

The National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military costs $1.5 million. The funds were raised through the combined efforts of the Hope family, other war veterans, and the port of San Diego. On July 8, 2009, the plaza was officially bestowed in honor of Bob Hope.