Rostra Editorial
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Since 1934, sacred ground.
Yet, to 52nd District Congressional candidate John Stahl, that ground is a mere political prop, a venue for a good camera shot, a place for the dead who served our nation so valiantly to now be served up for the sake of political opportunism. A Hollywood backdrop from which to rail on opponents Brian Bilbray, Scott Peters and Lori Saldaña.
For shame.
Excerpts from the Fort Rosecrans website…
Interments date to the early years of the California Territory, including the remains of the casualties of the battle of San Pasqual … In 1922, the San Diego chapter of the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West had a large boulder brought from the battlefield and placed at the gravesite with a plaque affixed that lists the names of the dead.
Another notable monument commemorates the deaths of 62 sailors in a boiler explosion aboard the USS Bennington. The Bennington, which had just returned from maneuvers in the Pacific, was anchored in San Diego Harbor. On July 21, 1905, the crew was ordered to depart in search for the USS Wyoming, which had lost a propeller at sea. At approximately 10:30 a.m., an explosion in the boiler room ripped through the ship, killing and wounding the majority of the crew. Two days later the remains of soldiers and sailors were brought to the post cemetery and interred in an area known as Bennington Plot.
Monuments and memorials at Fort Rosecrans include:
- The granite and bronze USS Wasp CV-7 memorial commemorates the loss of fellow shipmates during Battle of Guadalcanal on Sept. 15, 1942.
- The Ommaney Bay CVE-79 monument is an etched granite memorial to the men lost in action when the ship was bombed in January 1945.
- The granite Taffy 3 monument was dedicated on Oct. 24, 1996, in memory of the men who died during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific.
- The granite USS Gambier Bay monument was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1996, in memory of the men who lost their lives during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific. Family members and survivors donated the monument.
- The USS Hoel, USS Johnston, and USS Samuel B. Roberts monument is a large granite memorial dedicated in 1995 to the men who died on those ships in the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines).
- The USS St. Lo, CVE-63, and Composite Squadron VC-65 was erected in1994 to the memory of the men who died on those ships in the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines).
- A monument dedicated to the Mormon Battalion was erected in 1998.
- The Patriots of America memorial was dedicated in 1999 by the California State Society of the Founders and Patriots of America to honor all Americans who answered the call to arms.
- The 3rd Infantry Division monument was dedicated on Feb. 16, 2002. The granite memorial is dedicated to their fallen comrades.
No political campaign could ever be as significant as those brief citations or the ground they consecrate.
The federal government believes that as well, apparently, right there in black and white on the Veterans Affairs website:
“Political activities, including filming of campaign ads, are not permitted on cemetery grounds.”
Mr. Stahl, your own service to our country as a naval aviator is truly appreciated. Yet, you of all people should know better.
Rostra urges you to take down your shameful ad.