On this day, we pause to remember the veterans who have proudly served this country. Visiting the 77 plus acres at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, Ca., one is overwhelmed by the sheer number of graves. Many Fort Rosecrans interments date to the early years of the California Territory, including the remains of the casualties of the Battle of San Pasqual. In the Battle of San Pasqual, 19 of Kearney’s men and an untold number of Californios lost their lives. Initially, the dead were buried where they fell, but by 1874 the remains had been removed to the San Diego Military Reservation. Eight years later, the bodies were again reinterred at what is now Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Number of Interments Thru Fiscal Year 2008: 96,626.
Of the 96,000+ interments, many spouses and minor children are among the buried. Requirements for interment in a national cemetery can be found at this
LINK.