Unclaimed veterans to be interred September 10

The State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, will hold a Forgotten Heroes interment for unclaimed veterans on September 10 at 2 p.m.

The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs works closely with veterans service groups, funeral industry partners, public administrators and other concerned citizens to ensure the dignified burial of unclaimed veterans. Collectively we work to locate, positively identify and inter eligible veterans and family members. These organizations work tirelessly throughout the year researching military service records and vital records to locate unclaimed veterans eligible for burial at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery. Once identified, the logistics of claiming and coordinating the transfer to the state’s Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake begins.

Over the coming weeks unclaimed veterans’ remains from throughout the state will be escorted to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake where the cremains will be ceremoniously turned over to the Department of Veterans Affairs for interment. Over 50 individuals will be interred in their final resting place with full military honors in a community interment service. The final committal service will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, and is open to the public. As a reminder, pets or the use of any tobacco products are not allowed on the premises.

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery is open to the public seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to sunset. Interments are held Monday through Friday and are scheduled by contacting the cemetery staff. For additional information regarding the ride and the interment service please contact the cemetery at 509-299-6280 or visit http://www.dva.wa.gov/Cemetery .