Founded in 2006, the Central Veterans Cemetery Foundation (CCVCF) is a 501c(3) nonprofit. CCVCF's purpose is to promote and support establishment of and improvements for a complete full-service Central Coast Veterans Cemetery providing a final resting place of honor for our nation's veterans and their spouses.

Fort Ord’s history began with a land purchase following the American entry into World War in 1917. Then it was known as Camp Ord, in honor of Union Army Maj. Gen. Edward Otho Cresap Ord. By 1940 Camp Ord grew to 2,000 acres and would come to house upwards of 50,000 troops, deploying 1.2 million soldiers. Camp Ord served the country for 80 years through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the ongoing wars in the Middle East. until being decommissioned in 1992.

Upon Camp Ord’s closure, 178 acres were set aside to serve as a cemetery for veterans and their spouses. Federal and state funds were allocated for the construction, staffing, and operations of the cemetery.

The Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation was founded in 2002. Its mission is to assist in the ongoing development of a full-service veterans cemetery to honor all veterans across branches and their families.

Donor support paved the way to the completion of the first two phases of an 11-phase master plan for the Cemetery’s construction. The over $2 million raised enabled the Foundation to meet the federal fund-match requirement to acquire necessary construction grants. Thanks to community support, the Cemetery placed its first cremation in October 2016. Continued donations allowed the CCCVC to accept its first in-ground burial in May 2021.

Donor support paved the way to the completion of the first two phases of an 11-phase master plan for the Cemetery’s construction. The over $2 million raised enabled the Foundation to meet the federal fund-match requirement to acquire necessary construction grants. Thanks to community support, the Cemetery placed its first cremation in October 2016. Continued donations allowed the CCCVC to accept its first in-ground burial in May 2021.

The Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation was founded in 2002. Its mission is to assist in the ongoing development of a full-service veterans cemetery to honor all veterans across branches and their families.

Cemetery Timeline

  • Decommission and closure of the former Fort Ord was announced through the Base Realignment and Closure Act.

  • A 178-acre property was set aside from the former Fort Ord property to create a final resting place for veterans and their spouses.

  • Former Fort Ord was officially closed as a military base however a portion remains military housing and services.

  • The Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Foundation (CCVCF) was founded to raise funds for the establishment of the Veterans Cemetery.

  • Californian legislation was approved that included an estimated $3.5 million maintenance and operations endowment to be funded prior to the new cemetery’s design and construction.

  • A Citizens Advisory Council (later renamed Cemetery Advisory Committee) was formed under the auspices of the Monterey County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to support and move the Cemetery project forward.

  • Monterey County and the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) funded the creation of a master plan that outlined the design of the Cemetery.

    Seaside’s City Council dedicated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their former Fort Ord land (“the endowment parcel”) to help fund the Cemetery.

  • FORA, Monterey County, the City of Seaside, and the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding confirming their commitment to work together to create the Veterans Cemetery.

  • The Cemetery site was cleared following the munition cleanup of the former Fort Ord property, securing federal funding and title transfer from FORA to CalVet.

  • A new master plan was developed, reducing the size of the Veterans Cemetery from 178 acres to 78 acres.

    $3.5 million in contributions were raised meeting the 10% “local matching funds” for the Federal VA Grant and the 30% State administration fees requirements, securing the build-out of the first 17-acre segment which allowed for the placement of cremated remains.

  • The California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery opened on Tuesday, October 11, 2016.

  • The Cemetery accepted its first in-ground burial on May 4, 2021.

  • The Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation remains committed to raising funds for the expansion and enhancement of the full-service Veterans Cemetery.