WASHINGTON

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery is a state-run military burial site located in Medical Lake, Washington Medical Lake, just west of Spokane. It opened in 2010 and serves as the main veterans cemetery for eastern Washington, providing burial services and military honors for eligible veterans, their families, and some unclaimed or indigent veterans.

The cemetery is set in a quiet, open inland Washington landscape with rolling hills, wide skies, and a semi-arid, prairie-like environment. Its design is formal and military in style, with long rows of white headstones, neatly maintained grounds, and ceremonial spaces for services. The open layout and natural surroundings create a calm, reflective atmosphere.

What makes the cemetery notable is its role as a modern veterans memorial site rather than a place of famous individual burials. It contains veterans from multiple eras, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and recent conflicts, as well as rare historical reinterments such as Civil War-era veterans. Its focus is on honoring all service members equally, especially those without family support, through dignified military burials and ongoing remembrance.