The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery has received a check for $47,675 from sales of the Idaho Women Veterans Medallion for fiscal year 2026, the state treasurer’s office announced this week. The funds are designated for the maintenance and operation of state veterans cemeteries in Boise and Blackfoot, officials said.
Medallion sales support upkeep of veteran burial grounds
Presented by Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth, the latest payment continues a program launched when the medallions debuted in October 2020. According to the treasurer’s office, the medallions honor the service and sacrifice of Idaho women veterans while also raising money to keep cemetery grounds and facilities in good repair.
"As we celebrate America's 250th birthday this year, we recognize that our veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices to protect the freedoms we enjoy today," said Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth. "I am proud that the proceeds from these medallions are helping care for Idaho's State Veterans Cemeteries and ensuring these sacred places remain a fitting tribute to those who served."
The medallion design features five Idaho women veterans and symbolism reflecting Idaho’s role in women's suffrage: four stars to recognize Idaho as the fourth state to grant women the right to vote and the first to do so by constitutional amendment. The obverse bears Idaho’s state seal, created by Emma Edwards Green, and the inscription "Courageous Past, Unlimited Future."
Sales totals and remaining inventory
Since the program began, sales of the Idaho Women Veterans Medallion have produced more than $112,000 in revenue for cemetery care, the treasurer’s office reported. Fewer than 30 medallions remain in inventory.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fiscal 2026 distribution | $47,675 |
| Total sales since Oct. 2020 | $112,000+ |
| Medallions remaining | Less than 30 |
Voices of veterans and officials
One of the veterans featured on the medallion, Judith Eighmy, described the recognition as shared with all women who served. "It was an honor to represent the incredible women veterans who served during the Vietnam era. This medallion belongs to all women veterans from all branches," she said in the release.
Treasury officials framed the medallion program as both commemorative and practical — a way to pay tribute while generating dedicated funding for cemetery upkeep. The cemeteries in Boise and Blackfoot serve as permanent resting places and places of remembrance for Idaho veterans and their families; the new funds will be used for both maintenance and ongoing operations.
What the medallion represents locally
Beyond the dollar figure, the medallion effort ties historical recognition to a tangible benefit for veterans’ final resting places. The design elements — the five women veterans, the four stars denoting Idaho’s suffrage milestone and the state seal by Emma Edwards Green — connect state history, women's service and civic commemoration.
- Medallion proceeds are earmarked for the Idaho State Veterans Cemeteries in Boise and Blackfoot.
- Since October 2020, medallion sales have produced over $112,000 for cemetery care.
- Fewer than 30 medallions remain available for purchase.
How the funds are likely to be used
While the treasurer’s announcement did not list specific line-item projects for the latest payment, officials said the money will go toward maintenance and operations. That generally includes groundskeeping, facility upkeep, landscaping, monument care and other costs associated with preserving ‘‘places of honor’’ for veterans and their families.
For Idaho veterans’ families and advocates, the medallion program offers a way to contribute to cemetery care while also recognizing women who have served. With inventory dwindling to fewer than 30 medallions, the program’s future hinges on demand for the remaining pieces or on decisions by state officials about reissuing or replacing the design.
The Idaho State Treasurer’s Office distributed the news release announcing the payment. Additional information about medallion availability and how the funds are allocated may be obtained from the treasurer’s office and cemetery administrators in Boise and Blackfoot.
