National Cemetery Administration
Washington State Receives Grant for Expansion of Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake
July 16, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced today that it has awarded the State of Washington a grant in the amount of $3,457,719 for the expansion of Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake in Medical Lake, Washington.
"This expansion will ensure thousands of Veterans and family members can continue having peace of mind knowing they will have a burial option close to home," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. "The Veterans Cemetery Grants Program allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with the states to offer our Veterans increased accessibility to the burial benefit they've earned – not just in Washington, but across our great Nation."
This grant will fund the construction of 1,010 pre-placed crypts, 1,311 in-ground cremains gravesites, memorial walls, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure on approximately 3 acres, enabling Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake to provide continued service for approximately 55,780 Veterans and eligible family members.
The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) is designed to complement the 143 VA national cemeteries. Since its inception 42 years ago, the VCGP has awarded grants totaling more than $862 million to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain 116 state and tribal Veterans cemeteries. These grant-funded cemeteries provided more than 39,000 burials in 2019.
For more information about the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake, contact Mr. Rudy Lopez, Cemetery Director, at 509-299-6280 option 2, ext. 7010 or visit https://www.dva.wa.gov/cemetery.
