Announcing the new permanent home of the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial with Dedication Ceremony to be held on September 5, 2025
The Idaho Women Veterans Memorial to find its permanent home at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery
[Boise, Idaho] – The Idaho Veterans Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, is proud to announce the permanent establishment of the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial. Originally set to be located at the Idaho Veterans Garden in Caldwell, this memorial will now find a more widely accessible home at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. This move reflects our commitment to honor not just CPL Carrie L. French, Idaho’s first woman killed in combat, but also the valuable contributions of all Idaho women who have bravely served in the military.
Carrie exemplifies the spirit of camaraderie that flourishes among all veterans—women and men alike—during their service. The memorial will be lovingly maintained and will play a significant centerpiece in the many ceremonies and traditions held at the cemetery each year. Although Carrie rests in her hometown of Caldwell, her legacy as a distinguished service member will be eternally celebrated at the State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.
We invite everyone to join us for the official dedication of the memorial on September 5, 2025, at 11:00am. This important decision to relocate the memorial was made with careful consideration, ensuring that it will receive the permanent care it deserves while remaining accessible and visible to all who feel the impact of this profound loss across our state.
Statement from Founder, Danny Pugmire
“We are proud to announce this decision on the new home of the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial ensuring that it continues to serve as a place of remembrance and reflection for future generations,” said Danny Pugmire, from the Idaho Veterans Garden and the founder of the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial. “The new location will offer a place for everyone, friends and family to truly honor Carrie and while maintaining the dignity and respect that the memorial deserves.”
Statement from Jake Faulkner, Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Director
“The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery is deeply honored to receive and permanently display the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial. Welcoming this tribute to our grounds is both a privilege and a solemn responsibility that we embrace with great reverence. This memorial stands as a lasting testament to the service and sacrifice of Idaho’s women veterans. It will be thoughtfully maintained and integrated into the cemetery’s traditions, providing a place of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance for all who visit.”
About the Idaho Women Veterans Memorial
To honor our Idaho Women Veterans, the memorial preserves the memory of Carrie French, the first Idaho woman to be killed in combat, while celebrating her unwavering spirit of camaraderie and loyalty. A proud resident of Caldwell, Idaho, Carrie was known for her deep compassion, fierce loyalty, and the selfless dedication she gave to everyone around her. She embodied the true essence of friendship and service, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her.
This memorial is a tribute to Carrie’s legacy of kindness, love, and sacrifice. We aim to ensure that her memory lives on, reminding future generations of the unique bonds formed among those who serve, and the ultimate sacrifice made by this local hero. Visitors to the memorial will not only honor Carrie’s memory but will also experience the camaraderie she so deeply cherished, along with her remarkable ability to uplift those around her.
Details of the Dedication Ceremony
The Dedication will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Memorial sponsors, members of the public, community leaders, and families are invited to attend the dedication ceremony on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00am. The ceremony will include addresses from the memorial’s sculptor and world-renowned artist, Benjamin Victor, the director of the State Veterans Cemetery Jake Faulkner, Memorial founder Danny Pugmire, and Marisa McCarter, author of the story Marbles capturing her friendship and service with CPL French. The Marbles story can be found on the Idaho Veterans Garden website at: https://www.idahoveteransgarden.com/marbles
End of Press Release