Senator Thomas J. Umberg Reacts to Irvine City Council Approval of Veterans Cemetery Voter Initiative

Orange County, CA - Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D - Orange County) released the following statement following the Irvine City Council’s approval of the voter initiative for a site for the Orange County veterans cemetery located on part of the former El Toro Marine base, and known as ARDA.

“Last night’s decision by the Irvine City Council to move forward with a site for an Orange County Veterans Cemetery illustrates the commitment shown by the community to give local veterans the option of a military burial that is closer to home,” said Senator Thomas J. Umberg “The current economic crisis is a challenge, but we cannot leave our men and women who served our country behind, and the work is not over. We must be committed and coordinated in our efforts as local, state, and federal representatives, veteran groups, and the Orange County community as a whole. As we resolve to work together in this united front, we will have a memorial that will shine as a beacon of great honor for those that served, those that are missing, and those that gave their last full measure of devotion to their country.”

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Senator Thomas Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.