On Monday, the Marine Corps League joined the season of giving, and their gift this year will benefit California’s newest veterans cemetery.

A $20,000 donation from Marine Corps League Detachment 711 will help to pay for maintenance and upkeep of the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery (CCCVC) in Seaside.

“We fundraise all year so that we can make a difference,” said David Peelo, a member of Detachment 711. “The Central Coast Veterans Cemetery is important to our community and a tremendous support for local veterans and their families during their time of need.”

CalVet Secretary Vito Imbasciani MD met with members of Detachment 711 at the Central Coast cemetery today. Detachment 711 presented the check for the cemetery endowment fund during a brief ceremony. The endowment fund is designed to ensure that revenue is available for the continued maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. Watch a brief video.

“The collaborative effort to successfully develop our veterans cemetery here in Seaside stands as a permanent reminder of this community’s commitment to honoring our veterans,” said Dr. Imbasciani. “We know there are many worthy veteran causes to choose from, so we are grateful the Marine Corps League selected the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery.”

CCCVC is one of three state veterans cemeteries operated by CalVet, along with the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo and our Yountville Veterans Cemetery near Napa. In addition, there are nine National Veterans Cemeteries in California operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.