About two weeks after possession of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery was formally transferred from the Metropolis of Vallejo to the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs, the VA introduced on Tuesday that it has “formally taken accountability for administration and upkeep” for the venue.
Because it has been for over 20 years, the cemetery will stay closed for interments.
A information launch by the VA states “the positioning can be managed by Sacramento Valley Nationwide Cemetery in Dixon, which additionally maintains the Benicia Arsenal Put up Cemetery that was transferred to VA by the Division of the Army in 2020.”
“We settle for the sacred belief to look after the graves and preserve the reminiscence of Veterans and all those that have been laid to relaxation at Mare Island Naval Cemetery,” mentioned Matthew Quinn, Underneath Secretary for Memorial Affairs of the Nationwide Cemetery Administration (NCA) in a information launch. “We’ll start designing enhancements at this historic cemetery within the close to future to fulfill NCA’s look requirements that People have come to anticipate from any of our cemeteries.”
The cemetery, the oldest Naval one on the West Coast, has been designated as a Nationwide Historic Landmark. It has three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients — James Cooney, Alexander Parker and William Halford.
In keeping with that very same information launch, Vallejo space veterans and their eligible relations will proceed to have entry to burial at Sacramento Valley Nationwide Cemetery. Info on VA burial and memorial advantages is accessible on-line at www.va.gov/burials-memorials or by calling Sacramento Valley Nationwide Cemetery at 707-693-2460.
On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) launched a press release saying he was thrilled with the information.
“The switch of the Mare Island Cemetery to VA marks the top of an almost decade lengthy effort of mine to revive the extent of dignity and solemnity that the cemetery deserves,” mentioned Thompson. “I’m proud to see the end result of my efforts to revive this cemetery for the almost one thousand servicemembers buried there, together with three Medal of Honor recipients, so their remaining resting place can be protected and honored. This announcement by VA will assist make sure that the cemetery is cared for and that grounds can be preserved for future generations.”
First launched in 2018, Rep. Thompson’s laws directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hunt out an settlement with the Metropolis of Vallejo, underneath which the town would switch management of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA. That invoice grew to become regulation on January 1, 2021.
The method was declared full first two weeks in the past by Chief Assistant Metropolis Lawyer Randy Risner after which confirmed by Vallejo Neighborhood Engagement Supervisor Sharon Lund the next day.
“I’m glad to report that each one paperwork are actually recorded for the Mare Island Naval Cemetery and the switch to VA is now full,” Risner shared Monday, Nov. 13 in an e mail to retired U.S. Navy Commander Ralph Parrott, who has been a robust advocate for finishing the method. Parrott was additionally elated the switch was full.
“I’m additionally very excited in regards to the prospect of what the cemetery can turn out to be,” Parrott mentioned on Nov. 14. “Particularly, it could actually turn out to be a nationwide shrine because the NCA restores and upgrades it to nationwide shrine requirements. As such it could actually turn out to be a focus of naval historical past on the West Coast and the Pacific from the occasions of sail till the fashionable period.
“The tales of the overseas sailors buried there are largely the tales of ships invited to name by the Navy and subsequently assigning sailors to battle fires in San Francisco the place they had been killed,” Parrott continued. “The tales of the civilians buried there are the tales of the Vallejo space within the nineteenth century. Most significantly, the restored cemetery can be a spot of honor the place households can hint their ancestors and be pleased with how they’re being honored by a grateful nation.”
The cemetery has gone by means of a significant restoration. Uncared for for years, a course of to restore it started shortly after Parrott visited the venue and voiced his displeasure’s in regards to the situation to then- Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan.
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