GENERAL INFORMATION
To schedule a burial: Fax all discharge documentation to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-866-900-6417 and follow-up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117.
A small mini-museum is located in the Administrative office. Items include swords from World War II, statues of a veteran at the Vietnam wall, changing of the guard at Arlington's tomb of the Unknown Soldier and an airborne pilot, among others. Medals and uniforms are also on display, along with patches of many units. A flipper-flasher holds posters covering World War II and the Korean War.
Military Funeral Honors
There are several organizations, both military and service organizations, that provide a funeral honors detail for services. Those providing the honors details are primarily VFW groups, as well as American Legion, Lemoore Naval details (two days) and the California State National Guard from Fresno, Calif. Or your can request military funeral honors through your funeral home from the Department of Defense.
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HISTORICAL INFORMATION
The creation of San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery is the sixth in the state and 114th in the National Cemetery Administration.
The Romero Ranch Company donated the land for the cemetery to the Department of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 3, 1989. Construction of the 105-acre first phase began July 15, 1990. The water-pumping station on the California Aqueduct, the last element of construction, was completed in May 1992. The first phase yielded about 15,000 gravesites and 8,000 in-ground cremation sites.
Monuments and Memorials
The California Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated Aug. 1, 1998. The memorial is a composition of 16 individual granite five-foot monoliths arranged to form a circle. Each monolith contains the names of 2,495 Californians who gave their life fighting in the Korean War. The memorial was sponsored by a number of veteran service organizations, individuals and corporations.
The 11th Airborne Memorial is a granite and bronze monument that was dedicated on May 11, 2002, in honor of all airborne soldiers. The sculptor was William Porteus, a member of the 511th unit.
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NOTABLE PERSONS
Medal of Honor Recipients
Seaman William Troy, (Korean Campaign), U.S. Navy. On board the USS Colorado during the capture of the Korean forts, June 11, 1871 (Section M-1, Grave 53).
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FLORAL/GROUNDS POLICY
Fresh and artificial floral displays may be placed on the graves at any time. Floral containers are available.
Floral displays will be removed when they become faded and unsightly or as necessary to facilitate cemetery operations. All items will be removed bi-weekly. The pick up schedule is posted at traffic circle at the end of Tres Cerritos Boulevard.
Plantings are not permitted on the graves at any time. Small potted plants are permitted on graves from Oct. 10 through April 15, and the period 10 days before through 10 days after Christmas and Memorial Day.
Christmas wreaths or grave blankets are permitted on the graves during the Christmas season and will be removed no later than Jan. 15 of each year. Grave floral blankets may not be larger than two by three feet.
Statues, vigil lights, breakable objects of any natures, and similar commemorative items are not permitted on graves at any time. Cemetery staff will remove non-floral items immediately. Items appearing to be of sentimental or keepsake value will be retained for one month before disposal.
Floral items and other decorations may not be secured to the grave markers.
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