Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake will receive the cremated remains of 12 unclaimed veterans and family members on Dec 15, 2017

Spokane County:  The Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake will receive the cremated remains of 12 unclaimed veterans and family members on Dec 15, 2017 in a dignified transfer of remains.     

The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery staff partners with veterans groups, Patriot Guard and Combat Vet Riders throughout the state and across the panhandle of Idaho to locate, positively identify, and inter eligible veterans.  These organizations work tirelessly throughout the year, contacting county coroners, medical examiners, funeral homes and cemeteries 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. 

Veterans from the Spokane area will escort these cremains from Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W Wellesley, Spokane WA 99205.  The remains are expected to arrive at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Road, Medical Lake WA 99022 at 1pm where they will be turned over to the Department of Veterans Affairs for interment.  These individuals will be placed in their final resting place with full military honors in a community interment service which is open to the public and will take place at a date to be determined.  The dignified transfer is open to the public and the media is invited to cover.

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery is open to the public 7 days a week, from 8am 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 www.dva.wa.gov/Cemetery .