Restore WA Soldiers Home Cemetery - Orting

06/25/2026

One of the 4 Medal of Honor Heroes interred at the WA Soldiers Home Cemetery, SGT Alexander U McHale, of H Company, 26th Michigan Infantry, earned the Medal of Honor 🎖, along with 48 other Union Army Soldiers who also received the Medal of Honor 🎖 for their actions during this awful day of hand-to-hand combat at the Bloody Angle, part of the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA on May 12, 1864.

05/25/2026

The Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery in Orting, Washington, is the final resting place of four Medal of Honor recipients. All four heroes were awarded the nation's highest military honor for their extraordinary actions during the American Civil War.
The four Medal of Honor recipients buried there are:
Private George L. Houghton
Unit: Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry
Action Date: July 2, 1863 (Elk River, Tennessee)
Action: Voluntarily attacked and captured an enemy stockade under heavy fire to save a bridge.
Corporal Alexander U. McHale
Unit: Company H, 26th Michigan Infantry
Action Date: May 12, 1864 (Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia)
Action: Charged the enemy, captured a Confederate color, and carried the flag to the enemy's works.
Sergeant Albert O'Connor
Unit: Company A, 7th Wisconsin Infantry
Action Date: March 31 & April 1, 1865 (Gravelly Run, Virginia)
Action: Recaptured a Union officer from a Confederate detachment, and later seized a stand of Confederate colors in hand-to-hand combat.
Sergeant William H. Sickles
Unit: Company B, 7th Wisconsin Infantry
Action Date: March 31, 1865 (Gravelly Run, Virginia)
Action: Alongside a comrade (O'Connor), he captured three Confederates and rescued a captured Union officer. Notably, Sickles passed away in 1938 as the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Civil War.

05/25/2026

Looking forward to joining these Amazing Veterans at the Annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at the WA Soldiers Home Campus (Gazebo) at 2pm today.

It's !

Army Specialist Four Ardie R. Copas distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machinegunner in Company C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy near Ph Romeas Hek, Cambodia on May 12, 1970. That morning, Specialist Four Copas’ company was suddenly attacked by a large hostile force firing recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and automatic weapons. As Specialist Four Copas began returning fire, his armored car was struck by an enemy recoilless round, knocking him to the ground and injuring four American Soldiers beside the vehicle. Ignoring his own wounds, Specialist Four Copas quickly remounted the burning vehicle and commenced firing his machine gun at the belligerents. Braving the hostile fire directed at him and the possible detonation of the mortar rounds inside the track, Specialist Four Copas maintained a heavy volume of suppressive fire on the foe while the wounded Americans were safely evacuated. Undaunted, Specialist Four Copas continued to place devastating volleys of fire upon the adversary until he was mortally wounded when another enemy round hit his vehicle. Specialist Four Copas’ daring action resulted in the safe evacuation of his comrades. Specialist Four Copas’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

05/25/2026

Thanks to the WA Soldiers Home Superintendent Dan Smith, The WA Department of Veterans Affairs, and Forestry Volunteers for tree trimming, grounds clean-up, and tree relocation at these hallowed grounds at the WA Soldiers Home Cemetery in Orting, WA. What a wonderful way to honor our Amazing Heroes whose final resting place is here.

05/17/2026

12/14/2025

After the 2025 Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the WA Soldiers Home Cemetery. Every Veterans grave has been honored with a Wreath, thanks to our generous supporters.