Thompson Applauds Transfer Of Mare Island Naval Cemetery To VA

MARE ISLAND, CA — The Mare Island Naval Cemetery was officially transferred Nov. 27 to the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, marking the end of a nearly decade-long effort by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to restore the level of dignity and solemnity the cemetery deserves, the congressman said in a statement.

"I am proud to see the culmination of my efforts to restore this cemetery for the nearly one thousand servicemembers buried there, including three Medal of Honor recipients, so their final resting place will be protected and honored," Thompson said. "This announcement by VA will help ensure that the cemetery is cared for and that grounds will be preserved for future generations."

The historic military cemetery — the oldest on the West Coast — 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.

The Navy transferred most of the installation’s 5,000-acre peninsula to the City of Vallejo in 2002, including the cemetery. Over the years, it fell into disrepair. Thompson first introduced the legislation in 2018 to ensure it was restored and maintained as a proper burial ground and the final resting place for 800 of the nation's heroes.

The legislation directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek out an agreement with the City of Vallejo, under which the city would transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the VA to help ensure it would be maintained without being a financial burden to the city. That bill became law on Jan. 1, 2021.

However, the City of Vallejo hit some snags with the paperwork and it ended up on Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk in October.

On Nov. 27, nearly three years after the legislation was approved, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs took responsibility for the administration and maintenance of Mare Island Naval Cemetery following the facility’s transfer from the City of Vallejo, Thompson said. Additionally, the City of Vallejo has agreed to make in-kind contributions to improve and maintain the cemetery following the transfer as contemplated by Congress.

The site will be managed by Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.

As it has been for over 20 years, the cemetery will remain closed for interments. Vallejo area veterans and their eligible family members will continue to have access to burial at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, an original cosponsor of Thompson’s legislation, welcomed news of the transfer.

"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," Garamendi said. "This decision will ensure that the cemetery is maintained properly at federal expense for years to come, properly honoring the veterans buried there."