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Northwoods National Cemetery Dedicated Aug. 14

In a quiet ceremony August 14, the new Northwoods National Cemetery was dedicated in Harshaw west of Rhinelander.

Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves sent out a release Monday saying the dedication was before a few veterans and families because of concerns over a large crowd and COVID-19. Reeves said he regretted not being able to invite the many veterans and families.

The new facility is set to serve 38,000 veterans, their spouses, and eligible children who live in the region. The VA purchased the 6-acre property at 4520 Lakewood Road in Harshaw for just under $25,000 in 2015. Total cost of development was in the $3.4 million range.

Wisconsin has only one other VA National Cemetery in Milwaukee. There are three state-run facilities.

The cemetery will provide casket burials, in-ground cremation burials, columbarium niches for cremation burials, and a memorial wall. The plot, opening and closing of the grave, headstone or marker, crypt or grave liner, and perpetual care and maintenance are all provided free of charge. T

hose interested in interment at Northwoods or any of the VA’s 145 national cemeteries should contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.

Reeves release is below.

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I was greatly honored to visit Harshaw, WI, on August 14 for the dedication of Northwoods National Cemetery.

The official dedication ceremony of the national cemetery was a highlight for the VA’s National Cemetery Administration in the midst of a year unlike any of us has experienced. The most important component missing at our ceremony was a large local audience of veterans, their family members, and patriotic supporters.

We sincerely regret the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from welcoming as many members of the public as we hoped for the ceremony. With the pandemic still very much a reality, we felt we could not risk the health of anyone in this area and our best option was to limit attendance.

The important news about the Northwoods National Cemetery to share is the VA is here to serve the burial needs of more than 38,000 veterans, their spouses, and eligible children who live in Rhinelander and the surrounding area. We encourage you to visit the beautiful, sacred ground that will be the final resting place of brave, dedicated veterans and their families.

. Visitors can stop by to pay respects any day from sunrise to sunset. The cemetery will provide casket burials, in-ground cremation burials, columbarium niches for cremation burials, and a memorial wall. The plot, opening and closing of the grave, headstone or marker, crypt or grave liner, and perpetual care and maintenance are all provided free of charge by a grateful nation to veterans and their eligible family members.

Those interested in interment at Northwoods or any of the VA’s 145 national cemeteries should contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117. Thank you for all of your support for making this day possible.

Randy Reeves, Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs

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