Obama declares Fort Ord a national monument

FORT ORD — President Barack Obama on Thursday signed legislation designating Fort Ord a national monument, a move that will preserve 30 square-acres of the 45-square-acre property.

“Fort Ord’s dramatic landscape lives in the memories of thousands of veterans as their first taste of Army life, as a final stop before deploying to war, or as a home base during their military career,” Obama said in a prepared statement. “This national monument will not only protect one of the crown jewels of California’s coast, but will also honor the heroism and dedication of men and women who served our nation and fought in the major conflicts of the 20th century.”

Mark Starr, U.S. Army Veteran and Program Director of the Vet Voice Foundation, said he was “deeply grateful” about the designation.

“Fort Ord is an important part of our country’s military heritage with a role that stretches back almost 100 years,” he said. “Regiments from the Fort were deployed in World War II and protected California’s coastline after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  By designating Fort Ord a National Monument, the president is honoring the sacrifice of generations of Americans who trained at the Fort and served our Nation.”



For the complete article see the 04-21-2012 issue.

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