This week, AB 1595 was signed into law, putting Orange County veterans another step closer to the construction of the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. As a wife and sister to U.S. military veterans, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39) has been involved in this project since her time in the State Assembly and is thrilled to see this bill cross the finish line.
“Building a Veterans Cemetery in Orange County has been an issue close to my heart and a priority of mine since my time in the State Assembly,” said Kim. “With an estimated 104,949 veterans, Orange County is the State’s largest county without a veteran’s cemetery. I’m grateful to local elected officials, community leaders and Orange County veterans for their tireless work on this important project. We are one step closer to building the final resting place that our local heroes and their families deserve.”
“Our county has a strong, rich and deep military connection. This Cemetery will honor and respect those men and women who served our country, and our county, who earned the right to be buried in Orange County. We veterans are thankful for the wonderful team support that our federal, state, and local governments have exhibited for this project, as it will benefit, not only Orange County, but our region as well,” said an exuberant Bobby McDonald, a Vietnam Veteran and member of VALOR. “As Veterans Day is quickly approaching, what a magnificent way to commemorate the day and the cemetery.”
“I’m honored to have led a bipartisan coalition at the County with our Veterans – they have always had our backs, and it’s high time we have theirs,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner of the Third District. “A dignified Veterans cemetery in Orange County will reflect not only our military history, but a vision for the future: honor, service, respect, and love of country.”
“Today is a momentous day with Governor Gavin Newsom signing AB 1595 into law,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “We commend many of our State and Federal delegation members, Nick Berardino, and the members of the Veterans Alliance of Orange County (VALOR) who never stopped advocating for a Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. Now the Department of Veterans Affairs can use the $20 million allocated to the project by the County of Orange to study and begin to construct a Veterans Cemetery at the Gypsum Canyon site.”
