James Sumner MoH

[K38 Shawn]

James Sumner
Medal of Honor-Indian Wars

This post is in relation to the desecration of James grave.

James is a Medal of Honor recipient buried here, (Pvt. James Sumner). It is said he was buried with his award. His original memorial headstone also had been removed, and a replacement by supporters was placed back in the cemetery.

http://restorestmarys.org/Civil%20War%20Vets.html

In 1969, St. Mary's and another adjacent cemetery were taken by the city of Ventura and turned into a dog park. The burials of their physical remains are still interred at the park but the headstones were removed and thrown away illegally by the City forefathers.

"Among the more than 3,000 graves remaining is one of a Civil War General and former member of Congress, another, a Confederate Colonel and many others who served their country in time of war. They include seven members of the original 99 men who enrolled in Company C, 1st Battalion, Native California Cavalry originally enrolled in Santa Barbara in April 1864 (when Ventura Co. was still a part) and made up entirely of native Californians, who represented California in the Union Army during the Civil War."

There are approximately 70 War Veterans still interred at this 'dog park'.

Here is a link that Mr. Steve Schleder has provided from his webpage dedicated to restoring St. Mary's cemetery in Ventura, CA. We are still trying to get support from government, churches, veterans and any groups would be interested in a unified front on this patriotic issue. If anyone is from this area and willing to get involved, could you please write to Steve and inquiry about the project and see if it is worthy of your time and effort?: steve_schleder@restorestmarys.org

There is also a page on ********: http://www.********.com/#!/groups/127281390633742/
Family members and supporters post on here.