Burial of 55 Union Soldiers and Spouses Is Among the Largest Since the End of the War
On Thursday, August 22 at 12:30 p.m., the Washington State Missing in America Project will facilitate one of the largest collective burials of Union soldiers since the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865. The ceremony will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery, where these veterans will finally receive the recognition they deserve for their service and sacrifice to our country.
State Coordinator Thomas Keating has recently announced that the Missing in America Project, a federally recognized nonprofit dedicated to locating, identifying, and interring the unclaimed cremated remains of American military veterans, will be conducting Military Honors ceremonies for 27 veterans and 28 spouses prior to the interment of most of the veterans in Tahoma National Cemetery. These veterans’ remains had gone unclaimed at the time of their deaths and were stored in urns on funeral home or other storage facility shelves for over a century.
The Missing In America Project is a charitable organization entirely staffed by volunteers whose purpose is to locate and recover unclaimed veteran’s remains, determine military status and eligibility, and arrange for burials in public, private, and national cemeteries. State Coordinator Keating emphasizes the organization’s commitment: “We are all about honoring veterans who fought for our freedom and acknowledging spouses by providing dignified funerals and an appropriate place of final rest.” Missing in America Project’s motto simply and profoundly captures the spirit of the organization: “It’s the right thing to do!”
On August 22, in addition to the ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps, there will be a musket volley salute using black powder for authenticity. Civil War historian James Dimond will officiate a Grand Army of the Republic ceremony.
In conjunction with the inurnments at Tahoma National Cemetery, a Civil War Navy veteran will receive burial at sea with Military Honors aboard ship.
Dignity Memorial’s Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home and Cemetery is scheduled to host a memorial service for these American Heroes on Wednesday, August 21, at 1 p.m.
The public is encouraged to attend both events.
