I served in the United States Army for more than 18 years and was part of 250 combat patrols. When I left the Army, though, I found it hard to return to everyday life in the Coachella Valley.
Diagnosed with PTSD, my journey back to civilian life was a long process with twists, turns and setbacks. I found during this journey that spending time in nature helped with my healing.
I’ve become an advocate for our parks, national monuments and public lands because of this experience. I want other veterans to be able to visit these places and find healing in nature. That’s why I became one of many voices in the Coachella Valley that pushed for the creation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. Veterans, Republican and Democratic elected officials, tribes, business owners, people who go off-roading and like to hunt and camp—we all came together to ask that these special public lands be protected.
With this strong chorus of local, bipartisan support, we were successful! Chuckwalla National Monument was established on Jan. 14, 2025, and protects public lands south of Joshua Tree National Park.
For me, one of the most important features of the monument is its military history. This includes Camp Young (located to the south of Joshua Tree National Park), one of several camps included in the larger Desert Training Center. These locations were used by the Army during World War II to train soldiers for desert warfare abroad. Remnants of the sites remain, including insignias of military units.
To have Camp Young protected means something to me. It means that we have a place—close to home—where we can take friends and family and remind them about our history. Less than half of one percent (0.5 percent) of the total Americans who served in World War II are still alive today. With the passing of these heroes, it is more important than ever that we preserve the places that represent their sacrifice.
I am a constituent of Rep. Ken Calvert, who represents communities to the west of the monument. Rep. Jay Obernolte serves an area to the north with lots of public lands, parks and monuments. I’m asking these members of Congress to join veterans like me and others and advocate strongly for the Chuckwalla National Monument to remain protected.
Over the past several months, we in the Coachella Valley have experienced a lot of uncertainty about the future of our public lands. The people who steward these places have been suddenly fired. It’s been reported that the Department of the Interior is considering trying to strip protections from six national monuments, including Chuckwalla.
In times of uncertainty, we look to our leaders for direction. I consider it my patriotic duty to continue standing up for my community of veterans.
If you, like me, care about honoring our veterans and want to see our region’s military history remain preserved, please call your member of Congress. Ask them to ensure that Chuckwalla National Monument and its World War II history remain protected. Thank your representative for what they do on behalf of our veterans, and encourage them to champion the places where our military heroes can find healing in the great outdoors.
Craig A. Meling is a U.S. Army veteran who lives in the Coachella Valley.
Thank you for sharing your story and uplifting the importance of our national public lands and places that deserve protection, like the local Chuckwalla monument. Some members of Congress are now trying to sell them off. In addition to the land’s historical artifacts and cultural values, there are also irreplaceable recreational and economic benefits. Tourism and eco-tourism are essential to our large and rural counties like Riverside and San Bernardino, which have significant public lands. I hope our local congressional do not support selling off our national public lands for short term corporate greed. All Amercians deserve to have access to these landscapes and their healing qualities.
Please keep Chuckwalla National Monument. There are few if any minerals to plunder, yet so many riches of the heart. The history is amazing, both Native and recent American history. The views are astounding, camping and hiking is accessible, and all within an hour from Palm Springs. Drive the route from I-10 to Mecca on a late sunny afternoon and the shadows will mesmerize you. Please, protect and let us share this place.
Thank you for speaking out in defense of our public lands! I come from a military family and also know how healing and important our wild and natural lands are for our peace of mind and quality of life.