This afternoon, despite the dark and drizzly weather which seemed so perfect for commemorating Pearl Harbor Day, I headed half-way down the mountain to the Groundbreaking/Dedication Ceremony of the Bakersfield National Cemetery!
What an incredible, inspirational experience, to be sitting among over 1000 people, including Veterans from every branch of military service, who braved the very cold weather to witness this historic day in our community.
As a military band played the hymns from each branch of the military, the Veterans were asked to stand and be recognized upon hearing their particular service song. The applause was deafening! As a military mom and daughter, I was thrilled to be there among all of them!
The dedication site was encircled by hundreds of bikers who stood while holding American Flags throughout the ceremony!
Of course, there was a long list of dignitaries who spoke and gave thanks to those involved in the project, the ceremonial shovels, plaque dedication and prayers. Then, a lone bugler played Taps and finally the Honor Guard gave a 21 gun salute which concluded the ceremony.
This new National Cemetery is located near Bakersfield, California on 500 acres, in Kern County which was donated by California's historic Tejon Ranch Company. The cemetery will serve veterans and their families well into the next century!
The first phase of construction will include facilities necessary to maintain, operate and provide burials for approximately ten years. When this phase is complete, the interment areas will include approximately 4800 full-casket gravesites, 4000 pre-placed crypts, 4000 in-ground cremation sites and 3000
columabarium niches.
This is something that we've been waiting for for several years and it's exciting to see it finally coming to fruition.
Personally, it means so much to me as next Summer I can place my late father's urn in his final resting place where he belongs, among others from this area, who proudly served their country!
The picture below is of some of the bikers leaving the ceremony with their flags!
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I really love that last picture. It reminds me of some of the famous pictures taken throughout the years of such events.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jamie
That last pic has an Iwo Jima-esque quality to it. You should have it framed and present it to the staff at the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Remo on that one of the bikers at the end.
ReplyDeleteWow that picture at the end is amazing! I think this is great.
ReplyDeleteB
Excellent pictures....especially the final one. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteXOXO