Excerpt:

In Alameda, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the veterans who are serving, and those who have served. The Veteran’s Administration has proposed a medical facility to meet the health needs of veterans and a columbarium National Cemetery, both to be sited in Alameda, at Alameda Point.

With the growing number of injured service members returning from the war and our aging veteran population, these plans are enormously important. We need to do everything we can to accelerate establishing the medical facility in Alameda, to provide high quality, reliable, and accessible health care to the men and women that have served our country.

For WWII and Korean War veterans in particular, there is a growing need for a final resting place in the Bay Area. A cemetery at Alameda Point would allow us to memorialize our veterans in a location closer to their families, and honor the heritage of the former Alameda Naval Air force Station. The San Francisco cityscape and our Bay as backdrop would be a beautiful setting and fitting tribute to those who served, as well as Alameda’s military past.

So, on this day of remembrance, let us thank our veterans for the spirit and courage they show us, and recall the sacrifices and contributions of those who gave their lives in war. Let us also resolve to support efforts to honor them, and assist the living veterans in their time of need.