Rep. Mike Thompson, D. St. Helena, announced this week that his legislation to transfer control of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery to the Department of Veterans Affairs was included in the National Defense Authorization Act.

This provision allows for the cemetery to be properly repaired and maintained as the final resting place for hundreds of our nations heroes.

Proud that today my legislation to repair and maintain the Mare Island Naval Cemetery was included in a bill funding our nations defense. This will ensure that this national sanctuary can be preserved for generations to come, said Thompson in a news release. This sacred space must be upheld to the highest standards to honor our service members buried there and I will continue working to find every possible solution to get this done for our veterans.

The Mare Island Naval Cemetery has gone through a major restoration over the past year. Many trees that used to surround the cemetery have been removed, as well as a portion of the white picket fence that surrounded it, although portions of the fence will be but back after the drainage system is repaired. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, repairs for the cemetery have been slowed down.

The cemetery is the oldest naval cemetery on the West Coast and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

It has three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients James Cooney, Alexander Parker and William Halford. Also, Halfords great grandson, Ralph, was on hand at the ceremony and brought a compass that was used by William.

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Thompson bill to transfer control of Mare Island Cemetery included in Defense Funding Legislation - Vallejo Times-Herald