Bid to unearth Medal of Honor soldier rejected
Ventura, California (AP) October 2010
The city has thwarted plans to move a Medal of Honor soldiers remains from Venturas 7-acre dog park to the national cemetery in Bakersfield.
The Ventura County Star says the City Council voted 6-1 last week to reject a request to exhume the remains of Pvt. James Sumner, saying hes an integral to the citys history and should stay as the city works to honor the 3,000 people buried at the downtown cemetery-turned-dog park.
The former St. Marys Cemetery, which is now called Cemetery Memorial Park, is the final resting spot for Sumner, an 1860s Army hero awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during an Indian battle.
Retired Marine Sgt. Craig Gunny Donor has been trying to get Sumners remains moved, saying the military hero deserves more respect than a plot in a dog park.