Veteran’s cemetery opens in Seaside
A new veterans cemetery opened on Tuesday in Seaside. They were told there wasn’t enough money. There was another one within driving distance. They heard plenty of other reasons it shouldn’t happen. But in the end, none of that mattered.
Determined Monterey County Veterans and politicians never gave up. On Tuesday, they unveiled the California Central Coast Veteran’s Cemetery.
Fort Ord has come full circle. Once a training ground for the army, now, a part of it a final resting place for soldiers and other military personnel.
“It’s a huge achievement, it’s been a dream for the veteran’s community for over 20 years, and with today’s ceremony, it is here,” said California State Senator, Bill Monning.
“We’ve done it, and I think it’s the first of many different phases and it’s just…it’s a real diamond for the whole central coast to have this here,” said California State Representative, Sam Farr.
“What a great tribute and honor to these veterans and fallen warriors that are going to be interned here forever,” said Veteran Tony Virrueta.
Today’s ceremony was phase one of the cemetery’s opening, where 17 of the 78 total acres will open for interments. getting to this point was not easy.
“It’s been a very complicated bureaucratic fight between the federal government and the state government, but yet we never gave up,” said Farr.
“Determination and diligence. The people who started this over 20 years ago, and some who are not even here anymore, did not take no for an answer,” said Virrueta.
Local and state government were pushed and inspired by the community to finally get this done.
“When the issue is veterans we have a headstart because we have strong bipartisan support,” said Monning.
“We acknowledge those who didn’t live to see their dream realized like Major William Williams who’s family was here today and the first urn interment. That was his dream and they kept his remains until there was this opportunity today,” added Monning.
Hundreds of people turned out for the opening ceremony.. People attending said the California Central Coast Veteran’s Cemetery was a long time coming.
“It’s wonderful. Another great day in America, in Monterey Bay continuing history. Where California began and now we’re going to be beginning a new chapter in our history…a good one,” said Farr.
