Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Foundation
P.O. Box 849 Marina, CA 93933
MEDIA ADVISORY
VETERANS CEMETERY SITE MARKER UNVEILED MARCH 11, 2010
Contact: Janet Parks, President Release: March 5, 2010
CCSVCF Board of Directors Interesting Visual Opportunity
375-7581
A brief ceremony to unveil a site marker for the future Veterans Cemetery at the former Fort Ord.
At the future Veterans Cemetery site located at the intersection of Normandy Road and Parker Flats Cut-Off.
The former Fort Ord served as an active military installation for nearly a century and embodies history of substantial local and national military significance.
Nearly 25 years ago, a group of veterans representing all branches of military service began a quest to honor all veterans by establishing a federal Veterans Cemetery on the Central Coast. In 1991, the opportunity to create a final resting place for veterans and their spouses was provided with closure of the former Fort Ord. About 178 acres of land for a cemetery were included in the Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan.
A Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) was formed in June 2007 under the auspices of the Monterey County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to obtain necessary agreements to propel the project forward. Next steps required determining who would design, build, operate and maintain the cemetery.
Because a federal cemetery existed within 100 miles of the former Fort Ord (in Gustine within the San Joaquin Valley), the federal Office of Veterans Affairs determined it would design and build the cemetery, but that the facility would be a state-designated cemetery with the State of California responsible for on-going operation and maintenance.
Additionally, a $3.4 million endowment for maintenance and operations was required prior to beginning the construction process.
A conceptual draft Master Plan for the site was prepared in September 2008. Most recently, Assemblyman William Monning introduced pending legislation (AB 1757) to allow full design of the facility with phasing of construction and endowment funding requirements.
To achieve the required endowment, a non-profit organization called the Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Foundation was formed and is now actively engaged in raising required funds.
Unveiling of a site marker at the location of the future cemetery location is a call to the community to join in the effort to achieve this important resting place honoring all veterans.
Driving Directions to the Veterans Cemetery Site
From Highway One North and South Bound:
Exit Highway One at the Main Exit (Light Fighter Drive). Proceed STRAIGHT AHEAD to General Jim Moore Boulevard.
Turn RIGHT onto General Jim Moore Boulevard and continue to the next intersection which will be Giggling Road.
Turn LEFT onto Giggling Road. Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD on Giggling to Parker Flats Cut-Off Road.
Turn RIGHT onto Parker Flats Cutoff and proceed to the intersection of Parker Flats Cut-Off Road and Normandy Road (Parker Flats Road)
View photos of the event here.
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