Monterey, CA Veterans Cemetery On Old Fort Ord Site Continues To Fight Uphill Battle

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California Attempts to get a cemetery approved for Veterans in Monterey County continue to face setbacks.  After years on the drawing board it looked like a shoe-in but now the Monterey County Business Council and the United Veterans Council of Monterey are having to fight yet another battle, this time against the Fort Ord Access Alliance.  The so-called "open space advocate" is trying to get residents to sign a petition which could stall efforts to open the cemetery, and I would urge you not to sign it.  I personally would rather see a place that honors veterans and lets them rest in peace than having more open space at Ford Ord.  There is no reason to keep this space vacant, it is not by the beach, there are decrepit buildings which aren't being maintained, and in fact much of it is just an eye sore.  What better use could there be than a cemetery?  The open space group disputes that they are trying to stop the cemetery from breaking ground.  Jason Campbell, a spokesman, told the Monterey Herald that getting rid of the cemetery was completely contrary to what was written in the petition and he wants to speak to the two councils to try and explain what they are trying to achieve.  I hope this can be worked out.  The truth is that the clock is ticking on getting funding for the cemetery and any efforts which are seen as a hindrance, regardless of whether they are well meaning or not, could cause it to lose funding.  The United Veterans Council of Monterey represents 32 veterans groups and they are adamantly opposed to the petition.  I hope you are too.