About 75 people rallied in support of the war memorial cross at California's Mount Soledad Thursday, hoping the U.S. Supreme Court would intervene to save the landmark.

Supporters say the cross is a tribute to service members and not about religion.

"Let future generations enjoy their right to that experience," Retired Marine Lt. Col. Jack Harkins said. "Let this monument stand."

The rally was held as the Liberty Institute filed a petition asking the high court justices to reverse a lower court's decision deeming it unconstitutional for the 43-foot San Diego monument to remain on federal land.

The petition was filed on behalf of  the Mount Soledad Memorial Association, who oversees the cross. 

"The original monument evoked images of the time-honored tradition of erected crosses in battlefields around the world to honor the dead," Mount Soldedad CEO William J. Kellogg said. "This is a military city, whose veterans deserve to be remembered."