RENO, Nev. – The DAV National Commander’s Award for Outstanding Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Employee has been awarded to Rex Kern of San Diego, California. The award will be formally presented July 15 at the DAV and DAV Auxiliary National Convention in Reno, Nevada.

Since March 2016, Kern has served as the director of the Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemeteries in San Diego, California. He is responsible for burial, maintenance and administrative operations at both facilities.

Kern joined the National Cemetery Administration in April 2006 as a cemetery representative at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas. In 2009, he graduated from the National Cemetery Administration’s comprehensive yearlong Cemetery Director Intern Program.

“The culture of compassion and professionalism fostered by Rex is evident at both final resting places for our nation’s heroes in San Diego,” said DAV Department of California Commander Guy Anastasia. “From the lush manicured landscaping to well-planned graveside services, no detail is overlooked.”

Kern is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. During his enlistment, he earned an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Qualification and was twice named Sailor of the Quarter by Command Naval Surface Pacific Fleet. His last assignment was to the Readiness Support Group in San Diego, where he provided logistical support to deployed battle groups.

“After honorably serving his country in the military, Rex chose to continue a life of service through the National Cemetery Administration,” said DAV National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster. “Rex recognizes that the final resting place for our nation’s heroes is sacred. He is dedicated to honoring his fallen comrades with respect, compassion and dignity.”

Photos and media may be made available upon request.

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.