Conceptual Illustration of Gypsum Canyon Cemetery (Photo: Orange County Veteran’s Memorial Park)
The Anaheim City Council unanimously approved Orange County’s first Veterans cemetery to be located in Gypsum Canyon beside the 91 Freeway. Construction of the new cemetery could begin by 2026, with the site expected to open for burials by 2027, as reported by LAist.
This project addresses a need for the county’s estimated 80,000 Veterans, as the nearest military cemetery is currently the Riverside National Cemetery, situated over 40 miles away. The Veterans Alliance of Orange County, representing 150 Veteran organizations, has tirelessly advocated for this cemetery for 14 years. The journey to establishing this cemetery began in the early 2010s, leading to the passage of AB 1453, a bill calling for a Veterans cemetery in the county.
Initial efforts to locate the cemetery at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Irvine’s Great Park were unsuccessful due to local political disputes. Eventually, the focus shifted to Gypsum Canyon, gaining support from county, city, and state leaders. The recent state budget allocated approximately $5 million towards the project, bringing total funding to $50 million from various state and county sources. CalVet has also applied for a federal grant to further support the project.
Currently, the county’s only public cemetery, El Toro Memorial Park, has around 600 spaces left, enough for roughly two more years of burials. Plans are underway to convert roads into burial spaces at Santa Ana Cemetery, extending available burial spaces for an additional two years.
Nick Berardino, the Alliance’s president, shared with LAist that many local Veterans’ families have been waiting for this moment. Some have been storing ashes until the cemetery’s completion, while others have traveled to Riverside County or resorted to private burials. Berardino, a Veteran himself, mentioned the deep emotional significance for Gold Star Mothers, who have lost children in combat.
“For mothers who will unfortunately lose their children in future conflicts, this cemetery provides comfort, knowing they can be close to their child,” he said. “In a public cemetery, there’s a feeling of loneliness. But in a Veterans cemetery, we are laid to rest with our brothers and sisters, providing great comfort.”
He further mentioned that being buried in a Veterans cemetery entitles a Veteran to ceremonial activities like a 21-gun salute and for Vietnam War Veterans, a motorbike escort.
The 150-acre site will house two cemeteries: a public cemetery and a Veterans cemetery. The public cemetery, the first in Orange County in more than a century, will be managed by the Orange County Cemetery District. Meanwhile, the Veterans cemetery will be constructed and maintained by CalVet. Despite their separate management, the two cemeteries will share infrastructure, such as access routes, utilities, and bridge construction costs, creating an integrated yet distinct memorial space.
Tim Deutsch, general manager at the Orange County Cemetery District, said, “It would look like one big cemetery, but in reality, it’s two separate cemeteries. We’ll share access, a bridge, and utilities, with all related costs being part of a shared agreement.”
In addition to honoring Veterans, the public cemetery will feature sections dedicated to allied troops from the Vietnam and Korean wars and first responders.
For more information, the phone number for the Orange County Cemetery District Office is (949) 951-9102.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.