Category: News
PRESS RELEASE: Idaho State Veterans Home – Boise First COVID-19 Related Death of a Resident
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2020
(Boise, ID) – Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) regrets to inform you that the Idaho State Veterans Home – Boise (ISVH-Boise) has experienced its first COVID-19 related death.
Last week, ISVH-Boise lost our first resident to this illness. This Veteran had multiple comorbidities which made them more vulnerable to this unprecedented illness and may have contributed to them succumbing to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the passing of this Veteran, who served our nation with honor and dignity during its hour of need. This Veteran was a beloved member of the ISVH-Boise community and will be dearly missed.
“On behalf of everyone here, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this Veteran. We are grieving with them,” said IDVS Chief Administrator Marv Hagedorn. “Each veteran signifies the importance of military service and we owe a great debt to the less than one percent of Americans who wore a uniform to preserve our rights and freedoms. Our admiration for theses heroes endures.”
27 days ago, we received our first laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 within ISVH-Boise. Due to the ongoing perseverance from our team to maintain and keep the virus out of the building, we are pleased to report that we have had no new cases since our initial outbreak (consisting of 2 residents and 3 staff members) and the health district has declared the other resident’s COVID-19 related conditions as being resolved.
“With the spike in cases in Ada County in the past month, we have been fortunate that this virus has not spread more widely within our facility,” said Chief Administrator Hagedorn. “That is directly a result of the exceptional work of our ISVH-Boise team. They have worked tremendously hard to care for and protect our residents during these trying times.”
With this great loss and the loss of so many around the country, the IDVS team remains focused on our mission of caring for and protecting our American Heroes. We are vigilant in this fight against COVID-19, as we continue to follow the directives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Veterans Administration, and the Idaho State Department of Health. Our priority will always be keeping our residents and our staff safe and healthy.
Access to the Veterans Home remains limited to team members and essential providers only. Anyone entering the building is required to undergo screening. Updates on ISVH-Boise are available by calling (208) 780-1336. The phone line is updated regularly. For more information and resources on Idaho’s response to COVID-19 please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/.
IDVS Announces Opening of Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot
Blackfoot, ID – The new State Veterans Cemetery located at 2651 Cromwell Lane, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221 will open to the public on December 7, 2020. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The administrative office is closed on weekends and Federal holidays.
In an effort to protect the health and safety of our clients and staff during your visit please follow all guidance related to COVID-19 that is issued by the CDC, Office of the Governor, and Southeastern Idaho Public Health. Wearing of facemasks are required at your visit and during committal services.
The Veterans Cemetery services that are provided will include Pre-Registration and burial benefit information and scheduling of future burial services. The 40-acre cemetery will serve more than 20,000 eastern Idaho veterans and their families. It will have plots for in-ground casket burials and three options for cremation. There will be space for in-ground inurnment, a scatter garden and a columbarium, which is a building with nooks to place urns.
The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot remains in various phases of construction that are estimated to be complete in the Spring of 2021. A formal dedication ceremony will be planned for a future date also in the Spring of 2021.
For additional information regarding the services provided at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot, please call, 208-701-7161 or email at: blackfootcemetery@veterans.idaho.gov
2021 Veterans Resource Directory
Veterans Resource Directory
DOCUMENTS
2021 Veterans Resource Directory
IDVS Announces Opening of Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot
IDVS Announces Opening of Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot
Blackfoot, ID – The new State Veterans Cemetery located at 2651 Cromwell Lane, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221 will open to the public on December 7, 2020. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The administrative office is closed on weekends and Federal holidays.
In an effort to protect the health and safety of our clients and staff during your visit please follow all guidance related to COVID-19 that is issued by the CDC, Office of the Governor, and Southeastern Idaho Public Health. Wearing of facemasks are required at your visit and during committal services.
The Veterans Cemetery services that are provided will include Pre-Registration and burial benefit information and scheduling of future burial services. The 40-acre cemetery will serve more than 20,000 eastern Idaho veterans and their families. It will have plots for in-ground casket burials and three options for cremation. There will be space for in-ground inurnment, a scatter garden and a columbarium, which is a building with nooks to place urns.
The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot remains in various phases of construction that are estimated to be complete in the Spring of 2021. A formal dedication ceremony will be planned for a future date also in the Spring of 2021.
For additional information regarding the services provided at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot, please call, 208-701-7161 or email at: blackfootcemetery@veterans.idaho.gov
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
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