Garamendi Welcomes the Finalization of Transfer of Mare Island Naval Cemetery to VA National Cemetery Administration
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) welcomed the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration’s announcement that the Mare Island Naval Cemetery was transferred to federal management on November 27th. For years, the City of Vallejo was unable to cover the increasing maintenance costs, leading the cemetery to fall into disrepair.
“I am thrilled that the Mare Island Naval Cemetery has finally been transferred to the VA,” said Garamendi. “This transfer fulfills a community-led effort to restore and rebuild the cemetery to honor the almost 1,000 servicemembers, including three Medal of Honor recipients, that are buried there. This decision will ensure that the cemetery is maintained properly at federal expense for years to come, properly honoring the veterans buried there.”
Garamendi was an original cosponsor of Representative Mike Thompson’s (D-CA-04) 2018 legislation to facilitate the transfer of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery from the City of Vallejo to the VA, which became law in 2021.
Effective November 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has taken responsibility for administration and maintenance of Mare Island Naval Cemetery following the facility’s transfer from the City of Vallejo.
Mare Island Naval Cemetery is a historic cemetery that was constructed by the Department of the Navy shortly after it began operating the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1854. The cemetery is located within the former Shipyard, which officially closed on March 31, 1996, under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). The Navy transferred most of the installation’s 5000-acre peninsula to the City of Vallejo in 2002, including the cemetery.
The site will be managed by Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.
Vallejo area veterans and their eligible family members will continue to have access to burial at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.
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