(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers announced that the long-awaited Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery finally has a key source of funding.  The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded an $8.8 million dollar grant to reimburse the state of Washington for expansion of the Medical Lake cemetery that will serve 90,000 veterans and their families.

“Since 2006, I’ve been working with our local veterans to secure a state cemetery in our area,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “This critical grant will achieve that goal and I look forward to attending the dedication next year.”

"The Eastern Washington veterans community has worked long and hard to secure this cemetery," Spokane American Legion Commander Lyle Carstens said.  "On behalf of Eastern Washington veterans, I want to thank everyone, including Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, for making sure our veterans can rest in peace near their friends and family."

“Now more than ever, we must do everything we can to support our brave servicemen and women who have served our country with distinction.  It has been a true honor to work side-by-side with our veterans to obtain this grant, ensuring a final and proper resting place for our veterans.”

McMorris Rodgers has been a long advocate and champion for our active servicemen and women and veterans.  Recently, she co-sponsored legislation that would make family burial in state veteran cemeteries more affordable.  Currently, federal cemeteries receive a $300 benefit to cover a portion of the burial for veterans and their families.  The legislation McMorris Rodgers is cosponsoring, H.R. 2594, would provide the same benefit for burial in state cemeteries. 

Contact:
Destry Henderson
202-225-2006
202-279-0418