[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING SERVICE VETERANS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HONOR GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Service 
Veterans of Northern California Honor Guard for its dedication to 
honoring and celebrating the lives of our veterans in the Sacramento 
Valley National Cemetery and cemeteries in the neighboring regions.
  Since the first national cemetery was established in the United 
States following the end of the Civil War, there have been nearly 150 
national cemeteries designated in forty states across the country. My 
home state of California is home to nine of these cemeteries, including 
the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. The constituents of 
California's Third Congressional District and those who live in the 
Sacramento Valley region are grateful for the service of the cemetery's 
volunteer Honor Guard and their work to gracefully bring respect and 
dignity to our veterans' funerals.
  This extraordinary group of volunteers provides funeral honors for 
military veterans and gives a final salute to those who have bravely 
served our country. Thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act of 
2000, the United States Armed Forces ensure that any eligible veteran 
can receives full military honors during their funeral service at the 
request of their family. The Northern California Honor Guard performs 
up to 10 services each day for these fallen veterans, and all services 
are performed at no cost to the family of the deceased.
  I know that the families of our fallen veterans join me in thanking 
and celebrating the important contributions of the Service Veterans of 
Northern California Honor Guard as we remember and honor the incredible 
sacrifices of our veterans this Memorial Day.

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