The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery is a 76.5-acre (31.0 ha) military cemetery in Boise, Idaho. It opened in 2004, making Idaho the last state to build a veterans cemetery.
| Idaho State Veterans Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Established | 2004 |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 43°41′46″N 116°18′25″W / 43.696°N 116.307°W |
| Type | State |
| Size | 76.5 acres (31.0 ha) |
| Website | veterans |
| Find a Grave | Idaho State Veterans Cemetery |
History
editIn 2004, the cemetery opened as the first veterans cemetery in Idaho, which was the last state to build one.[1][2] The 76.5-acre (31.0 ha) project cost $8.2 million (equivalent to $13.2 million in 2023), which the federal government paid.[3][4]
The cemetery's first internment was soldier Brandon Titus, who was killed in action in the Iraq War in 2004. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.[5][6]
Discrimination criticism
editIn 2014, the cemetery faced criticism for not allowing lesbian veteran Madelynn Taylor to be buried with her deceased wife, Jean Mixner. Idaho governor Butch Otter released a statement that the cemetery required a valid marriage certificate and that Idaho didn't recognize same-sex marriage.[7] After Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage was lifted on October 15, 2014,[8] Taylor was awarded $70,000 in legal fees (equivalent to $90,000 in 2023) from the state's Constitutional Defense Fund.[9] In July 2015, a judge ordered Taylor would be buried with Mixner upon death.[10]
Statue by Benjamin Victor
editAs part of a Memorial Day ceremony on May 29, 2021, I will have your back always..., a bronze statue by Benjamin Victor, was unveiled at the cemetery. This event was postponed from November 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The statue depicts two soldiers, with a male soldier resting on his knees holding dog tags and a female soldier holding her hand on his back. The woman is intended to portray a sense of readiness and protection while the man mourns.[11]
References
edit- ^ Feinberg, Teddy (May 27, 2024). "Idaho veterans cemetery recognizes Memorial Day, pays tribute to those killed in action". The Idaho Press. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Hearing Before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, One Hundred Ninth Congress. National Cemetery Administration. April 20, 2005. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-16-075553-8. Retrieved July 18, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Miller, Ken (March 15, 2004). "Final stage of veterans' cemetery begins in northwest Boise". Idaho Business Review. Boise, Idaho: Dolan Media. Retrieved July 18, 2024 – via EBSCOHost.
- ^ "Idaho State Veterans Cemetery – Boise". Idaho Division of Veterans Services. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ McHenry, Chuck (August 25, 2004). "Remembering Brandon". The Idaho Press. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Aresvik, Ruth (January 18, 2022). "The Veterans' Press: Hearts of Bronze: Idaho State Veterans Cemetery". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ "Gay veteran: 'Ashes of a couple old lesbians isn't going to hurt anyone'". KBOI-TV. Boise, Idaho. April 23, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (October 13, 2014). "9th Circuit lifts stay on gay marriage in Idaho". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Kruesi, Kimberlee (October 7, 2015). "Idaho to spend $70K in legal fees to pay for Madelynn Taylor case". KBOI-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Leber, Jake (July 12, 2015). "Gay veteran's burial battle laid to rest". KBOI-TV. Boise, Idaho. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ Komatsoulis, Carolyn (June 5, 2021). "'A special place': Local artist reflects on Boise and new veteran's sculpture". The Idaho Press. Retrieved July 18, 2024.