First Veteran to Secure Military Burial Rights for Same-Sex Spouse Buried in Portland Cemetery Today

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Linda Campbell was buried with her wife, Nancy Lynchild, at the Willamette National Cemetery.

Campbell and Lynchild honeymooning at Grand Canyon.
By Elise Herron

The first U.S. veteran to secure military burial rights with her same-sex spouse was buried in Portland today.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Linda Campbell was buried with her wife, Nancy Lynchild, at the Willamette National Cemetery.

According to OPB, Campbell died of cancer last month on Friday, March 2, at the age of 71. Lynchild passed away in 2012, also due to cancer.

Lynchild fought for over a year to secure burial rights with her wife. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian lobbied on Lynchild's behalf, and in early 2013, then-Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Eric Shineski granted her a burial waiver.

Since 2015, following the Supreme Court ruling that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriages, the Veteran's Administration has granted burial rights to all same-sex couples.

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