U.S. Senator Jim Risch has called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a national veterans cemetery in North Idaho. In a letter addressed to the VA, Risch highlighted the lack of burial options for veterans residing in the northern part of the state.
“While veterans in southern Idaho are well-served by VA national and grant-funded state cemeteries, veterans in North Idaho are forced to choose between forfeiting this honor or being buried outside Idaho,” wrote Risch. “[. . .] Idaho’s veterans served our country with distinction, and they should not be forced to be buried across state lines and away from their families simply because there is no other option.”
Currently, Idaho has one VA national cemetery located in Buhl, as well as two state-grant-funded cemeteries in Eagle and Blackfoot. For those living in North Idaho, the closest VA cemeteries are situated out-of-state—in Medical Lake, Washington, and Missoula, Montana.
Risch’s request aims to address this gap and provide more accessible burial options for veterans and their families living in North Idaho.
