Mare Island naval Cemetery

Mare Island Naval Cemetery, the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast was deeded to the City of Vallejo, California,  in 1996.  When it was done there was no mechanism included to be able to handle the financial upkeep.  Over 800 military veterans who served our country, including three Medal of Honor winners, eternally rest in the cemetery.  Now the issue of upkeep, or the lack of it, is presenting problems for proud veterans.

A petition launched by local veteran Nestor Aliga has now been endorsed in resolution form from both houses of the State of California and a cemetery bill sponsored by U.S. House Representative Mike Thompson has been authored.  In addition, as of last week, the American Legion has endorsed the idea of an ownership change for the cemetery, as had the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veteran’s, and the U.S. Navy League done previously.

The issue and desire for a change in the cemetery’s ownership can be read about here from an article in the Vallejo Times Herald.  Representative Thompson’s bill would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek out an agreement with the City of Vallejo.  The city would – under this agreement – for no fee, transfer ownership and control of the cemetery to the VA who would place it under the National Cemetery Administration to operate.

It is hoped that if operated by the National Cemetery Administration, the cemetery would be able to be restored and maintained for generations to come.

Funeral Director Daily take:  We’ve mentioned many times in this venue about cemeteries that are becoming neglected and/or abandoned and the problem that issue may cause  municipalities or counties who then inherit the upkeep and its financial obligation.  In a situation like this, when the cemetery was used for military personnel and their dependents, it is only logical that a military department, such as the Veterans Affairs Department, take over the operation from the city.

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