In the 18 years since its dedication, the Tahoma National Cemetery has performed more than 44,000 internments for veterans and their spouses.

Each former service member is reverently laid to rest with a formal military service provided by active duty personnel of his or her prior service branch. Final military honors consisting of a service conducted by a chaplain, a rifle squad, and bugler are provided by one of three Veterans Service Organizations – the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or Disabled American Veterans. These volunteer organizations serve five to six days per week and work a hectic 9-to-3 regardless of the weather.

The highly respected honor guard from Kent’s American Legion Post 15 has been serving the cemetery since its establishment in 1998. They provide continuous coverage on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month, and may perform seven or more services on each day. They are represented by veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. Their long-serving commander, Abraham Goo, was a World War II Army Air Corps, B-17 navigator/radio operator operating in the Pacific Theater.

American Legion Post 15 is located just east of Earthworks Park atop Scenic Hill. With more than 400 members, it is one of Washington’s largest posts.