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.

Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Seeking Volunteers

Are you (or someone you know) the kind of person who likes to help others? Are you organized, calm and friendly? Then we want to hear from you! The Veterans Cemetery is looking for a few special people to join our volunteer team one day a week, assisting with military funerals and helping answer visitors’ questions. For more information and an application, see our attached volunteer opportunities flyer.
DOCUMENTS
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Volunteer Application and Information

Update on New National Cemetery in Buhl.

The new cemetery will be the first VA national cemetery in the state. It will be located at 1585 East, 4150 North Buhl, Idaho. See the below document for more detail.
DOCUMENTS
National Cemetery in Buhl – Fact Sheet

Clarification Regarding Future Veterans Cemeteries in Idaho

Potential Confusion Has Arisen Regarding the Proposed 2nd Idaho State Veterans Cemetery to be located in Blackfoot and the National Veterans Cemetery being built in Buhl.

Background – Proposed 2nd State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot, ID

In August 2012, Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) submitted the formal pre-application (forms SF-424, 424C and 424D) to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cemetery Construction Grant Program for a Veterans Cemetery in Eastern Idaho. This placed IDVS on a Pending Priority List. As of October 1st, Idaho was ranked #27 out of 105 pre-applications, and IDVS is hopeful to obtain grant opportunity in federal FY2019, which is this coming October 2018. IDVS has 40 acres of property designated for exclusive use as a Veterans Cemetery east of the State Hospital South Cemetery parking lot. Preliminary construction costs for the proposed cemetery are estimated at $7.6 million, with approximately $6.7 million of that covered by the federal government. IDVS will use funds already set aside to cover the remaining state portion of the cost.

In preparation for a grant opportunity, we have been working with the state’s Department of Public Works on a 75 to 100-year design of the Veterans Cemetery to be built in Blackfoot using the 40-acre property. The new Veterans Cemetery is expected to provide burial services for over 20,000 Veterans and their families. We anticipate our operations based on staffing to facilitate up to five funeral services a day, Monday thru Friday, and, based on the Veteran population and age demographics, roughly 12 funeral services a week could be the average.

Proposed 2nd State Veterans Cemetery Site in Blackfoot Idaho

Background – National Veterans Cemetery to be constructed in Buhl, ID

The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration is developing a new national cemetery in the Twin Falls area. The property was purchased in September of 2016.

The land for this new cemetery is located at 1585 East, 4150 North, Buhl, Idaho, which is 14 miles west of Twin Falls, Idaho. The new cemetery will serve more than 14,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible family members located within the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho.

The new cemetery will become the first VA national cemetery in the state. Complementing the mission of the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery located in Boise. This cemetery will not be operated by the state of Idaho.

The new cemetery is a part of the National Cemetery Administration Rural Initiative program. The initiative’s primary goal is to build small national cemeteries in states without an open national cemetery. Of the 22 million Veterans nationwide, 5.3 million live in rural communities. Between fiscal years 2006-2014, there was a 7 percent increase in VA-enrollment by Veterans who reside in rural areas.

VA will construct in-ground casket and cremation burial sites, above-ground columbarium niches, a memorial wall, flagpoles, a memorial walkway, roads and other infrastructure.

Buhl VA National Cemetery Site

Timeline for Buhl VA National Cemetery

#ExploreVA Facebook Live Event: VA Education Benefit Changes

#ExploreVA Facebook Live Event: VA Education Benefit Changes
February 15 – Will the Forever GI Bill impact you?
Image of a Veteran Studying
The Colmery Act, commonly known as the Forever GI Bill, enhances and expands education opportunities for Veterans. It enables some Veterans to restore lost benefits while allowing others to use their benefits at local technical schools or vocational institutions.

Do you know how this new legislation may impact you?
Find out by joining VA and National Military Family Association (NMFA) for a February 15 Facebook Live event. Robert M. Worley II, VA’s Director of Education Service, and Besa Pinchotti, NMFA’s Communications Director, will discuss education benefit changes, eligibility requirements, how to apply and more. After the video, representatives will answer questions and provide resources in the comments section. Register for the event and receive event notifications by visiting Explore.VA.gov/events.

Updated School Certifying Official Webinar Slides

Updated School Certifying Official Webinar Slides
The updated transcript of the November 29, 2017 Education Service Webinar is now available including answers to unanswered questions asked during the Webinar.

Forever GI Bill ® Explained

Forever GI Bill ® Explained
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017, commonly referred to as the “Forever GI Bill ®,” was signed into law on August 16, 2017. It made several changes to GI Bill ®, one of which was an extension of the time limit to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®. See more information on the Colmery Act and search “Elimination of 15-year Limitation to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill Program.”

Category: News