There are three veterans’ cemeteries located in the state of Wisconsin. The Northern Wisconsin Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery is centrally located between Eau Claire and Superior and easily accessible from U.S. Hwy. 53. The Central Wisconsin Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery is located in Waupaca County on the grounds of the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home in King. The Southern Wisconsin Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery is located south of the Milwaukee metropolitan area in Racine County, west of I-94, near the Union Grove Veterans’ Home

Veterans who meet the service and Wisconsin residency requirements are eligible for burial in a state veterans’ cemetery. To meet the service requirement, a veteran must meet one of the following:
• was discharged from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions;
• died while on active duty;
• served at least 20 years in the National Guard or Reserves and qualified for military retirement pay (or would have qualified, except death occurred before age 60).

To meet the residency requirement, a veteran must meet one of the following criteria:
• was a Wisconsin resident at the time of entry or re-entry into military service, or
• was a Wisconsin resident at the time of death, or
• was a Wisconsin resident for at least 12 consecutive months after entering or re-entering service on active duty.

Surviving spouses and dependent children are eligible for interment even if the veteran is not buried or memorialized in a state veterans’ cemetery and the veteran met both the residency and military service requirements. This would be in the event a veteran was lost or buried at sea, missing or missing in action or whose remains have been donated to science or cremated and the ashes scattered. Surviving spouses who remarry after the veteran’s death retain their eligibility for burial. Biological or adopted children who are under the age of 18 or under the age of 26 and pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution are also eligible for burial. An adult child of any age is eligible if the child is physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental disability.

Pre-registration allows a veteran, spouse or dependent child to establish eligibility for interment at one of the three state veterans’ cemeteries. There is no cost for pre-registration and it does not obligate them to be interred at the cemetery selected. Pre-registration is intended to establish eligibility and simplify the process for the next of kin at time of death. Gravesites are assigned at time of need; specific gravesites are not reserved.

There are no fees charged for the burial of an eligible veteran, but fees are charged for burial of spouses and dependent children.

Tammy Walters is available at (715) 369-6127 or twalters@co.oneida.wi.us.