District Governance

The District

The South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District (SSCVMD) was formed as an independent special district on August 26, 1946, to recognize and serve the veterans of Gilroy and South Santa Clara Valley. There are 27 memorial districts in California, but the SSCVMD is the only memorial district in the Bay Area.

The District was formed under, and operates pursuant to the provisions of Division 6, Chapter 1 of the Military and Veterans Code of the State of California. Through the principal act, the District is empowered to provide and maintain the hall for use by veterans, as well as non-veteran individuals and organizations.

A mission statement declaring the aim to provide quality facilities for all residents, including military and non-profits.

The District is managed and governed by a five-member board of directors, with at least three of the five seats designated for veterans. Board members are elected to a four-year term of office and there are no term limits.

The District provides support for veterans of the US Armed Forces by connecting veterans with government agencies and nonprofit organizations at the federal, state, and county levels. These services include veteran benefits assistance, services for veterans with disabilities, and information about medical care, insurance, and education benefits.

The District boundaries and sphere of influence include the City of Gilroy and surrounding unincorporated lands, which encompasses 311.3 square miles.

How It All Started

In 1945, members of the community service clubs met and decided that “something should be done for local veterans” and a 12-member committee was formed to develop a plan. It was decided a building should be dedicated to veterans and they set out to secure property.

Once the property at 74 W. Sixth Street was secured, the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District was formed. The founding board, which included Cecil Carlyle, Marcel Braquet, Mike Filice, Tom Underwood and Peter Blaettler, was elected in 1946. They spent the next several years raising money through a local tax assessment and the 6,350-square-foot Veterans Memorial Hall opened on May 25, 1951.