Update: State Veterans Cemetery Operations During COVID-19

Update: State Veterans Cemetery Operations During COVID-19
The State of Idaho and Ada County is currently in Stage 2 of Coronavirus restrictions (https://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/dac-coronavirus-order.php), the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise continues with the scheduling of Committal Services limited to a maximum of 10 people. Masks and physical distancing are required.
For those that deferred the Committal Service portion of the burial services beginning on March 23, 2020 through May 15, 2020 please contact the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery to schedule services at 208-780-1340.

STAGE 2: (Dates subject to change)
MODIFIED COMMITTAL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE:
• Shelter occupancy is limited to a maximum of 10 people.
o Facebook Live and Zoom are great alternatives for those who can’t be present at the committal service.
• A physical distance of at least 6 feet will be required.
• We will schedule honors as we always have, at the discretion of the Honor Guard team they will provide what is available at the time of service.
• There will be no volunteers available, so services will be self-guided. Please follow the signs to the assembly area as usual and a staff member will meet you there approximately 10 minutes before the appointed start time.
o We will collect any paperwork or flags and answer any questions.
o Staff will lead your procession to the shelter on the hour.
o Please ensure that families vacate the shelter no later than half-past the hour so that staff may collect the casket/urn and disinfect the area.
• PPE and disinfecting will be in effect.
THE CEMETERY OFFICE AND VISITOR CENTER ARE STILL CLOSED.
• By appointment only. We are still available to help guests via curbside service, phone or email.
Please check both the Governor’s website and Central District Health’s website frequently for changes to the current status and adjust your plans accordingly.
https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ and https://cdhd.idaho.gov/

Governors Address

2020 Memorial Day Ceremony

2020 Memorial Day Ceremony
Boise, ID – Idaho Division of Veterans Services encourages Idaho’s citizens to safely honor and remember all those that died while serving in defense to our Nation during this unprecedented time.

To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and comply with federal, state, and local rules and guidance of limited gathering sizes and large venues the difficult decision was made to cancel this year’s ceremony at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery – Boise as a condition of continued public safety.

“Even during this difficult and challenging time, we must never forget that as a nation we have a solemn responsibility to recognize and honor those that have served and died in defense of our freedom and the freedom of those oppressed throughout the world”, Veterans Cemetery Bureau Chief James Earp.

This year’s honorable display for Memorial Day at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery will include a single U.S. Flag hand placed with dignity and respect at each gravesite by the Captain Art Jackson Young Marines and volunteers from Veterans Service Organizations. These flags will complement the cemetery’s Avenue of Flags raised with respect and honor by members from The Mission Continues of Boise.

To honor and remember servicemembers no longer with us, Idaho Public Television in partnership with the Office of the Governor and the Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) have produced a Memorial Day message.

The grounds of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery – Boise are always open from morning to dusk. The public will still be able to visit the final resting place of their loved ones to honor and remember their service. Visitors are asked to adhere to health and safety guidelines and to maintain social distancing during your visit. Visits are encouraged throughout the weekend to avoid possible crowds on Memorial Day.

The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery – Boise is located at 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, Idaho 83714 and is co-located with Dry Creek Cemetery.

Celebrate The Spirit of ’45 – Idaho State Veterans Cemetery – Boise, ID

Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony – Boise, ID

Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony – Boise, ID
Memorial Day 2019 Public Event

Idaho Division of Veterans Services invites all visitors to attend the 2019 Memorial Day Ceremony to honor and remember all those that died while serving in defense to our Nation.

Boise, Idaho – The Idaho Division of Veterans Services invites the public to attend this year’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27th starting at 10:00 AM at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. The ceremony is held to honor and remember all those who died serving in defense to our Nation as well those who served and are still serving in our armed forces.

This year’s ceremony will include a wreath presentation by multiple Veteran and Civic Organizations, Aircraft Flyover performed by the 124th Fighter Wing, support and participation by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force. Speakers will include representatives from the Governor’s office and elected officials.

Public parking for this event will be at Optimist Park located at the intersection of Hill and Horseshoe Bend Roads. Transportation is provided by buses donated by the Brown Bus Company and SHIP of the Valley Regional Transit.

The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery is located at 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, Idaho 83714 and is co-located with Dry Creek Cemetery. Please arrive early for transportation to the ceremony site as the event will begin promptly at 10:00 AM and conclude by 11:00 AM.

The cemetery will be decorated with a single U.S. Flag placed with dignity and respect at each gravesite by the Captain Art Jackson Young Marines on the morning of Saturday, May 25th. These flags will complement the cemetery’s Avenue of Flags raised with respect and honor by members from The Mission Continues of Boise.

As part of the Memorial holiday weekend, also on Saturday, starting at 10:00 AM, volunteers with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation from the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Medical Group will be onsite to place roses throughout the Veterans Cemetery in memory of Veterans and their loved ones.

For more information please contact the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at (208) 780-1340 or visit our webpage at: http://www.veterans.idaho.gov/cemetery

James Earp
Bureau Chief
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery
DOCUMENTS
Memorial Day Announcement – ISVC

2019 Veterans Resource Directory Published

The 2019 Update to the Idaho Veterans Resource Directory is now available.
DOCUMENTS
2019 Veterans Resource Directory

Idaho to get VA Grant for State Veterans Cemetery in Southeastern Idaho

October 1, 2018

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch”Otter announced today that the Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) has been notified that Idaho will be awarded a $7.4 million grant in FY 2019 to establish a State Veterans Cemetery in Southeastern Idaho. This will be Idaho’s third Veterans Cemetery, joining the current State Veterans Cemetery in Boise and the proposed National Rural Veterans Cemetery being constructed in Buhl.

“This is a tremendous investment that will go a long way towards properly recognizing and preserving what will be hallowed ground for some of our unsung heroes and patriots” said Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter. “The First Lady and I celebrate this milestone with our veterans and their families who will soon have a facility in eastern Idaho dedicated to recognizing the sacrifice of those men and women who heard the call and gave up a portion of their lives to defend freedom.”

Marv Hagedorn, Chief Administrator of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, praised the work of his team. “I am proud of the work team IDVS has done to secure this grant for the state of Idaho, and for southeastern Idaho’s Veterans. The work of my Deputy Chief Tracy Schaner and James Earp, the Bureau Chief of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, particularly stands out.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program was established in 1978 to complement the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The program assists states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments in providing gravesites for veterans in those areas where VA’s national cemeteries cannot fully satisfy their burial needs. Grants may be used only for the purpose of establishing, expanding or improving veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by a state, federally recognized tribal government, or U.S. territory. Aid can be granted only to states, federally recognized tribal governments, or U.S. territories. The VA cannot provide grants to private organizations, counties, cities or other government agencies.

Cemeteries established under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by the VA. Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of service members who die on active duty, veterans, and their eligible spouses and dependent children. Any cemetery assisted by a VA grant must be maintained and operated according to the operational standards and measures of the National Cemetery Administration.

The new State Veterans Cemetery will be located on 40 acres of farmland adjacent to State Hospital South in Blackfoot, Idaho. The initial phase of construction will develop up to 23 acres and include 500 preplaced crypts, 400 columbarium niches and 150 in-ground burial plots. The initial phase also would include construction of a main entrance, committal shelter, in-ground cremains burial areas, roads, a maintenance facility, an assembly area and supporting infrastructure. The project expects to break-ground by the summer of 2019.

“This highly anticipated decision is of great importance as the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, the Idaho Department of Public Works, and many others have done a tremendous amount of work over the past two years to prepare for the upcoming formal construction process,” commented James Earp, Bureau Chief of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. “I appreciate the interest and patience of the veterans and citizens in eastern Idaho throughout this process as we are closer now than ever to establishing Idaho’s second State Veterans Cemetery.”

“Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive” Star Courier (Idaho)

Article by Mike Olsen
Photoes courtesy Mike Olsen

Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive article from the Star Courier (Idaho)

Participate in the 75th Anniversary WWII Wall of Honor Project

Idaho Division of Veterans Services would like to provide information for your participation in the 75th anniversary World War II Wall of Honor. This incredible display will be located on the National Mall on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II August through September 2020.

Spirit of ’45

#ExploreVA Facebook Live Event: VA Home Loan Programs

June 28, 2018 | 1 p.m. EDT
Newsletter Blurb

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or looking to move into a home that better accommodates your family, home buying can be a stressful process. A VA home loan can help reduce financial strain. Most VA backed loans do not require a down payment or mortgage insurance and have competitive interest rates. These are options that can save buyers thousands of dollars. Plus, qualifying Veterans can use this benefit again and again.

Find out more during the #ExploreVA Facebook Live event on June 28 at 1 p.m. EDT. Join representatives from VA and the National Association of Realtors as they discuss the advantages of a VA home loan and other VA housing-related programs, such as mortgage refinancing and adapted housing grants. Representatives will answer questions after the video and provide resources in the comments section. Register for the event and receive event notifications by visiting Explore.VA.gov/events.

This event is part of the “#ExploreVA: From Service to Success” online series highlighting how Veterans and their families use VA benefits and services. These benefits help Veterans earn degrees, start careers, buy homes, stay healthy and more. Visit Explore.VA.gov for information on events, resources and how to apply for VA benefits.

Category: News