Risch urges VA to build national vets cemetery in North Idaho

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, on Thursday urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to honor Idaho’s veterans by building a national cemetery in North Idaho.

“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,” Risch said

He said Idaho’s veterans served the country with distinction and should not be buried across state lines and away from their families simply because there is no other option.

Idaho is home to one VA national cemetery in Buhl and two state-grant-funded cemeteries in Eagle and Blackfoot. The nearest VA cemeteries to North Idaho are in Medical Lake, Wash., and Missoula, Mont.

In his letter, Risch said he was writing on behalf of Idaho’s veterans "who have always led the charge in defending our rights and freedoms."

"It is our duty to appropriately recognize and honor their service, sacrifice and commitment to the United States by building a second VA national cemetery in Idaho," Risch said. 

He said VA National Cemeteries are vital to preserving the legacies of the nation’s service members. 

"Many of Idaho’s 120,000 veterans have earned the right to be buried in these cemeteries — an option that should be readily available and accessible to them," Risch wrote.