Kent VFW Post 6785’s Honor Guard at the Tahoma National Cemetery. COURTESY PHOTO, VFW Post 6785

Kent VFW Post 6785’s Honor Guard at the Tahoma National Cemetery. COURTESY PHOTO, VFW Post 6785

Kent VFW Post helps provide military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery

Honor guard volunteers from VFW Post 6785 share duties twice a month

Twice a month, the honor guard from Kent’s VFW Post 6785 shares the duty of providing military funeral honors at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.

The honor guard shares the duty on the first and second Thursdays each month with District 33 of the Disabled American Veterans. The Kent group takes the mornings and the Disabled American Veterans the afternoons, although each group helps out the other when needed.

“Volunteering with the post honor guard providing military funeral honors and support at Tahoma National Cemetery is one the most personally rewarding and fulfilling things we do in the VFW, and a way we give back to the community,” said VFW Post 6785 Cmdr. Walt Tanimoto in an October Facebook post.

A comment on the Facebook post shows how much people appreciate the honor guard.

“I was so grateful for the Army volunteers that presented the honors for my husband’s service on Sept. 29,” according to the post. “I want to thank every single volunteer for their service.”

Tanimoto said the Kent VFW Post 6785 is always looking for veterans to volunteer and help the group in its mission to do more for veterans.

The post is part of the cemetery’s Veterans Service Organization Honor Guard Association. These veterans provide honors to 90% of the veterans interred at the cemetery. The association is made up of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Elks Club and other organizations.

Tahoma National Cemetery is at 18600 Southeast 240th Street in Kent, in unincorporated King County. The cemetery was established in 1993 and opened for interments in 1997.

Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, according to the Tahoma National Cemetery website.

A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the veteran.

Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.

As far as visiting the cemetery, the gates operate automatically, opening at 6 a.m. and closing between 6 and 9 p.m., depending on hours of daylight.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent-based UTOPIA Washington partners with Seattle nonprofit

HealthierHere announces 4 new partnerships to help residents get essential health and social services

t
King County buys building for new Kent animal shelter

Plans to close current site in Kent and move 2 miles north in 2027 at cost of $19.5 million

Courtesy Photo, Kent Cornucopia Days
Street list closure for Kent Cornucopia Days

Downtown streets to close Thursday evening, July 10 through Sunday night, July 13

COURTESY PHOTO, ShoWare Center
The city-owned accesso ShoWare Center in Kent continues to lose money, including about $2.5 million over the last three years.
City of Kent-owned ShoWare Center loses $1 million in 2024

Record-high operating loss since arena opened in 2009; city covers losses from its general fund

Kent Police officers examine a black 2013 Chevrolet Camaro after it crashed July 7 into a day care facility along East Smith Street. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Man, 42, could face vehicular assault charge in Kent crash

Federal Way man driving westbound down Smith hill when Chevy Camaro crashed into building

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: June 23 to July 5

Incidents include construction site burglary, cable wire theft, rock thrower

t
City of Kent receives two state grants for park projects

Awards of $939,600 and $500,000 from Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program

t
Two people in car injured in Kent after crash into building

Incident at about 1:38 a.m. Monday, July 7 at day care facility along East Smith Street

t
Kent once again a Sister City with El Grullo, Mexico

Both cities reaffirm their commitment to strengthening partnership at Kent City Hall gathering

(File photo)
Fourth of July weekend weather in King County

Expect mostly sunny and warm weather for the Fourth of July weekend… Continue reading

t
Kent man, 22, charged in May 27 Auburn shooting

Documents allege that the suspect, along with others, ambushed Keivon Bias, 21.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Christopher Gadd’s mother Gillian Gadd, left, comforts his wife Cammryn Gadd during the sentencing hearing at the Snohomish County Courthouse for Raul Benitez Santana on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Man sentenced for death of Washington State Patrol trooper

Will serve more than 10 years for vehicular homicide for death of Christopher Gadd, a Kentlake High graduate