4/28/2006 (print version)
Letter to the Editor: Ford Ord Cemetary

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your continued coverage of the issues impacting the construction of Fort Ord Cemetery.

I strongly believe that my job as the Senator of the 12th Senate District is to work with my colleagues on a bi-partisan basis to accomplish the numerous tasks at hand. When I was first elected to this position, I took the time to meet each and every Senator and have worked across party lines to make sure the needs of my constituents are met.

Assemblyman Simon Salinas, Senator Abel Maldonado and I decided early on that in order to make a veterans’ cemetery at Fort Ord a reality, then we would have to work together. And, we have successfully done that. Last year, both Assemblyman Salinas and I carried bills that would offer “out of the box” ways to help pay for the maintenance of Fort Ord upon construction. Unfortunately, Assemblyman Salinas’ bill was killed by his own party before we could act upon it. Fortunately, we still have one of my bills, Senate Bill 234, working its way through the process.

As a veteran, I believe that all veterans should be honored when they are buried, and the cemetery should be easily accessible to their families that are left behind.

The issue of a veterans’ cemetery at Fort Ord is not a partisan issue, but an issue of federal versus state government. Undoubtedly, the state has made its position clear. As Tom Johnson, Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs stated, “We are not in support of building additional state veterans cemeteries. The state should be taking a complementary role in the provision of veteran benefits, not a duplicative one.” That is also the reason I introduced Senate Joint Resolution 18 with my colleagues Senator Maldonado and Assemblyman Salinas. SJR 18 calls on President Bush, Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build a national veterans’ cemetery at Fort Ord in Monterey.

The irony of this situation is that I am taking on the bureaucrats in the Bush administration, while Congressman Sam Farr is defending them.

Obviously, there are some funding issues that need to be resolved in making this a veterans’ cemetery. I still believe that making Fort Ord a federal cemetery is the quickest route to accomplish this goal, but I am always looking at new ways to fix a current problem.

That is why I called for a meeting of state and federal representatives in May. I think we need to sit down and brainstorm what other options might exist and how we can better work together. I look forward to working with all my colleagues whether state or federal or Republican or Democrat.

Veterans deserve a veterans’ cemetery at Fort Ord and I pledge to do all I can to make it a reality.

Senator Jeff Denham

John Sammons

I was given a figure of $500,000 as an annual maintenance cost estimate but no one could/would offer the possibility that the state would ever pick up any of the costs. If this is the case then the fundraising will be formidable.

What is interesting is that the state and fed VA both point fingers at each other. VA says that it is not its POLICY to build new cemeteries when there is a federal cemetery as close as Gustine that is not full. I was informed by Sen Denham’s office that that is only a policy and not a result of any law.

My advice in how to support Monterey County Chapter is for every CAL-MOAA member to write, call, visit both Senators and their Representatives to lobby for the VA to build and maintain the cemetery.

Additionally I would recommend that the EXCOM develope a letter/resolution for email approval urging Nationall MOAA to lobby the appropriate Governmental Offices and Legislators to direct VA to build the cemetery. The land is there as well as the need.

I have a PDF Copy of the bill as ammended on May 26 if anyone is interested.

W/R
John Sammons

There has been a new development which gives a boost to the Fort Ord cemetery effort. I just put the full story on the weblog here: http://www.cal-moaa.org/blog/.

Warren
—–Original Message—–
From: LS10336325@aol.com [mailto:LS10336325@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 9:56 PM
To: torosur@earthlink.net
Cc: efgustafson@charter.net; eenos@comcast.net; Moaaman@aol.com
Subject: Re: MOAA Monterey County Request for Support - Vet Cemetery

Just got back from a trip and trying to catch up on the important things.

I also feel strong about your Cemetary efforts. However, let me share my perception about State support.

On Sat, 13 May 06, before I left on my travel, I attended the California State Commanders Veterans Council meeting where Sec Tom Johnson addressed us. One of the subjects was the subject cemetary. He said he had conversation a few days prior with your legislature and advised him and others (?) at that meeting that although he understood the desire of the cemetary, that the State was not in a position to support the effort (cost?). It appeared that it was .’sort of final’ and that efforts should continue with federal request to see if their rules ( 75 miles etc.) could be changed for your request.

Larry Stumpf
CAL-MOAA Pres

Bill,
I just noticed you were not on the original mail, so I will forward it to you after sending this one.

I know of the desire for the cemetry and I personally support it. I was privy to CA Vet Sec Tom Johnson who addressed this subject at our Califonia State Commanders Veterans Council meeting on Sat ,13 May 06 in Tulare CA that I attended. Since I am leaving the area for 10 days, I will address his comments and suggestions when I get back so all can determine the course of action.

Larry Stumpf
CAL-MOAA Pres

John Sammons