Location: Idaho State Veterans Cemetery

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/

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
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

“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

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