Tahoma National Cemetery
18600 SE 240th Street
Kent, King County, Washington 98042
425-413-9614
Washington, D.C. — Tahoma National Cemetery, the 115th Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemetery and the first in Washington state, will be dedicated in a ceremony honoring all U.S. military veterans Friday, Sept. 26.
VA Secretary-Designate Hershel Gober said, “This new cemetery reflects both the commitment of the brave men and women who served our country and our nation’s commitment to these veterans. The veterans of Washington state have worked long and hard for a national cemetery. Their efforts are finally being rewarded with a national shrine befitting their sacrifice and dedication.”
The cemetery’s name is derived from Puget Sound’s Native Americans, who refer to nearby Mount Rainier as “Tahoma,” which means “snowiest peak” or “the mountain that is God.” Mount Rainier, which has a lower peak called “Little Tahoma,” serves as a majestic visual anchor from the cemetery’s flag assembly area looking southeast toward the main entrance.
