The Miramar National Cemetery is having an open house this weekend. Cemetery officials want veterans to understand that the cemetery in San Diego has long since taken over for Fort Rosecrans, which has been at capacity for years.
Miramar does not have the picturesque view of the ocean or Fort Rosecrans' century-long history, but it does have is a lot of space — 313 acres.
Rosecrans originally reached capacity in the 1966. It reopened periodically but essentially closed to new burials in 2014. Miramar opened in 2010. People still ask to be buried on Point Loma. That just is not possible so they are promoting Miramar, said Rex Kern, director of Miramar National Cemetery.
“In general, I want them to see the property because we’re thinking a lot of people have not attempted to come here because they are waiting for Fort Rosecrans to miraculously open up,” Kern said.
The cemetery is staging its first open house for veterans from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday.
Roughly 15 percent of San Diego veterans opt to be buried in a national cemetery. Most veterans who have been honorably discharged are eligible to be buried in a national cemetery free of charge, Kern said.
