National Cemetery Administration
VA Names Northwoods and Snake River Canyon National Cemeteries
July 17, 2019
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the naming of two new cemeteries currently under construction: Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw, Wisconsin, and Snake River Canyon National Cemetery in Buhl, Idaho.
"We are pleased to expand burial services to Veterans and their families in these two states," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "These cemeteries will help us reach Veterans in the rural parts of Wisconsin and Idaho who have not previously been served by a burial option."
VA relies on local Veterans and community leaders to submit name suggestions. Of the names submitted, "Northwoods National Cemetery" and "Snake River Canyon National Cemetery" best met VA's naming criteria and are consistent with the requirements specified in Title 38 United States Code § 531, requiring VA property, including national cemeteries, to be named for the geographic area in which the facility is located.
The closest burial option for Veterans currently living in those areas are State-administered cemeteries. Central Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in King is located 114 miles from Harshaw, Wisconsin. Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise is located 131 miles from Buhl, Idaho.
VA purchased the property at 4520 Lakewood Road, Harshaw, Wisconsin for $24,712 on Sept. 24, 2015. This cemetery will serve more than 38,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible children within a 75-mile radius of nearby Rhinelander.
VA purchased the property at 1585 East Elm St., (E 4150 N), Buhl, Idaho for $51,250 on Sept. 30, 2016. This cemetery will serve more than 15,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible children within a 75-mile radius of nearby Twin Falls.
For more information about these cemeteries, reference the Northwoods National Cemetery Fact Sheet, the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery Fact Sheet, or call the Office of Public Affairs and Outreach at 202-632-8035.
