SEASIDE, Calif.- A veteran's cemetery could finally be coming to the Central Coast. It's been a simple request, that's become very complicated for our local military families. They said they need a place to bury a loved one, who has given his or her life for their country. On Wednesday Central Coast News found out, there may soon be a resolution.
"This has really been hard on us, the veterans and the families of the veterans who are maintaining their loved ones remains in urns in their homes," said retired Army Sergeant and Vietnam veteran Jack Stewart.
Stewart is in charge of changing that situation and it's taking a lot of patience-fifteen years so far. We talked with Stewart at the Fort Ord site that they hope will one day house a veteran's cemetery. Right now there is just a sign. Stewart said they need to raise enough money to pay for the state managed cemetery.
"The only viable means would be to have a parcel cut off from the former site for the cemetery to sell," Stewart said.
The group is hoping to sell that parcel to developers who want to put in a horse race track. But there's a catch. Environmentalists don't want that to happen, as a matter of fact.
"Seaside right now has over 700 acres at Seaside East that they're not using. We'd like to see them look into it," said Keep Fort Ord Wild spokesperson Michael Salerno.
Environmentalists who support the project said why not pick a location that's easier to get to.
"The low point to the high point is 14 stories, or 140 feet. Its not really a suitable location for the project they're talking about," Salerno said.
Stewart said they've looked at other options along the Central Coast but this seems the most possible but only if all the pieces fall into place.
"It could be in jeopardy, if not lost forever, it could be delayed an additional 10-15 years and we don't want to go through that process again," Stewart said.
