Monterey County veteran repatriation set for May 22; county lists Memorial Day observances and volunteer opportunities
May 20, 2026 | Monterey County, California
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Jack Murphy of the Military and Veterans Affairs Office said May 20 that a repatriation and interment ceremony for Staff Sergeant Carl Abbott will take place Friday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Salinas after the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency positively identified remains on Jan. 5, 2026.
"He was forced to march during the Bataan Death March and then ultimately held as a prisoner of war ... where he passed away on October 3rd, 1942," Murphy said, describing Abbott’s World War II service and captivity. Murphy said a motorcade will bring Abbott’s remains to Salinas for a repatriation and interment ceremony escorted by a local veterans group.
Murphy also outlined Memorial Day events across Monterey and San Benito counties and asked for volunteers. Major scheduled observances include an Avenue of Flags in Castroville (10:00–noon), a wreath‑laying at the Coast Guard Jetty in Monterey (10:30), American Legion Post 694 in Marina, Post 521 in Carmel at Devendorf Park (11:00) and the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery observation in Seaside (11:00). In Salinas, the Hartnell College student‑veteran road march will begin at 4:00 a.m. and finish at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery; volunteers are requested to help place flags at graves in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Murphy provided participation contacts: Steve (American Legion Post 31) at 831‑682‑3688 for Salinas volunteer coordination, and Ryan Grimes at 831‑637‑6015 for San Benito County flag placements.
Murphy described his office’s work across Monterey and San Benito counties. "We support about 19,000 veterans and 6,000 active service members and their families across both counties," he said. He gave last fiscal‑year service figures: his office served 3,358 unique veterans, filed over 5,700 claims and secured 2,101 VA disability awards that he said totaled more than $21.5 million in new and recurring compensation for local veterans.
Murphy said Memorial Day is primarily a day to remember fallen service members and highlighted the county’s long military history, including Fort Ord and Fort Hunter Liggett. He encouraged residents to attend observances and to reach out to his office for additional event details.
"He was forced to march during the Bataan Death March and then ultimately held as a prisoner of war ... where he passed away on October 3rd, 1942," Murphy said, describing Abbott’s World War II service and captivity. Murphy said a motorcade will bring Abbott’s remains to Salinas for a repatriation and interment ceremony escorted by a local veterans group.
Murphy also outlined Memorial Day events across Monterey and San Benito counties and asked for volunteers. Major scheduled observances include an Avenue of Flags in Castroville (10:00–noon), a wreath‑laying at the Coast Guard Jetty in Monterey (10:30), American Legion Post 694 in Marina, Post 521 in Carmel at Devendorf Park (11:00) and the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery observation in Seaside (11:00). In Salinas, the Hartnell College student‑veteran road march will begin at 4:00 a.m. and finish at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery; volunteers are requested to help place flags at graves in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Murphy provided participation contacts: Steve (American Legion Post 31) at 831‑682‑3688 for Salinas volunteer coordination, and Ryan Grimes at 831‑637‑6015 for San Benito County flag placements.
Murphy described his office’s work across Monterey and San Benito counties. "We support about 19,000 veterans and 6,000 active service members and their families across both counties," he said. He gave last fiscal‑year service figures: his office served 3,358 unique veterans, filed over 5,700 claims and secured 2,101 VA disability awards that he said totaled more than $21.5 million in new and recurring compensation for local veterans.
Murphy said Memorial Day is primarily a day to remember fallen service members and highlighted the county’s long military history, including Fort Ord and Fort Hunter Liggett. He encouraged residents to attend observances and to reach out to his office for additional event details.
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