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Cemetery dedication honors veterans

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
DIXON, Calif. --  There was a lot of talk of commitment - the enduring commitment of veterans who dedicated their lives in service of their country and the reciprocal commitment this country has made to eternally care for its veterans.

On April 22, the Sacramento Valley Veterans Affairs National Cemetery in Dixon was dedicated - reaffirming this nation's commitment to veterans. The dedication ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors from the Joint Services Honor Guard.

"The stories or our veterans' bravery are endless and our tribute to them will now be eternal," said Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, 10th Congressional District.
More than 2,000 people attended the dedication, which Travis supported with a flyover of a C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and a KC-10 Extender.

"I was very proud to participate in this tremendous out-pouring of community support for our veterans," said Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "This national cemetery will enable all of us to pay tribute to our fallen heroes who gave their full devotion to duty in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and our more recent conflicts. We owe sincere appreciation and thanks to congressional members and all local and state agencies that fully supported this project."

Honorably discharged veterans, their spouses and dependent children who are minors or who have a life-long disability, can be buried at the cemetery.

"We don't make reservations," said Mr. Jim Rich, National Cemetery Administration, Public Affairs officer. "All arrangements are done at the time of need."

The Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery opened for burials in October 2006.

When the first phase of construction is complete, the 110-acre site will provide 17,200 full-casket grave sites, 12,000 in-ground vaults, a 3,000-unit columbarium for above-ground placement of cremation urns and 765 sites for in-ground cremated burial.

Mr. Alvin Hayman, who served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, sold the land to the Department of Veterans Affairs to be used as a national cemetery. As a tribute, he and his wife, Irene, were the first people buried in the cemetery.

"We provide an important benefit to our nation's veterans here," said Mr. Dean Moline, Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery director. "However, we also expect our National Cemetery to become an important facet of the community."

Upon completion, the cemetery will have an administration and maintenance complex, three committal service shelters, a public information center with electronic grave site locator and public restrooms, according to Mr. Moline. There will also be a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway and donations area.

According to Mr. Rich, the Department of Veterans Affairs has the goal of placing national cemeteries within 75 miles of 90 percent of veterans.

President Abraham Lincoln started the National Cemetery Administration during the Civil War "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan."

To conclude the dedication ceremony, Tech. Sgt. Jim Masters from the USAF Band of the Golden West played "Taps."