Photo by Dianne Hardisty
Flags adorn graves at the Bakersfield National Cemetery.

Bakersfield National Cemetery , located on 500 acres donated by the Tejon Ranch Co ., 20 miles southeast of Bakersfield, Calif., held its first Memorial Day Ceremony Sunday, May 30. Those speaking during the ceremoney included Steve L. Muro, acting under secretary for memorial affairs, and Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and Jim Costa .

The 130^th national cemetery in a system that now includes 131, the Bakersfield National Cemetery opened in July 2009.

To date, the remains of 600 have been interred in the cemetery since its opening, according to director Cindy M. Van Bibber.

Nationwide, an estimated 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day. The death rates for Korean War and Vietnam War veterans also are increasing. The system of national cemeteries has expanded to accommodate these veterans.

“I am surprised more people are not utilizing the Bakersfield cemetery,” said Van Bibber, who recent transferred to the facility from a similar one in Fort Bliss, Texas. “The setting is awe-inspiring.”

Bakersfield is one of three cemeteries in the system that utilize “water wise” landscaping. The other two are located in Phoenix, Ariz., and Fort Bliss. The Phoenix and Fort Bliss cemeteries are located in deserts, where cactus and similar vegetation are commonly found.

While Bakersfield  is not located in a desert, the site lacks a source of water, preventing it from sprouting the carpet of grass found in most cemeteries.

To some, the Bakersfield National Cemetery may appear bleak and barren. But Van Bibber notes that landscaping still is taking shape. Native plants, including the oak trees and wild flowers that decorate the rolling foothills of the Tehachapi and Sierra Nevada Mountains will adorn the national cemetery.

She credits the cemetery’s support group with providing guidance and assistance as the cemetery provides a resting place for the men and women who dedicated themselves to preserving the freedom of the United States.

About the author: Dianne Hardisty retired as the editorial page editor of The Bakersfield Californian . She is now a freelance writer. This article appeared first on Dianne Hardisty's Examiner.com page .