Veterans Honored Interment (VHI) began in 1999 after our founder Paul Redfield realized the heartbreaking reality of how veteran’s that served our country, final remains were handled.
It is with great honor that the volunteers of VHI are graced with the privilege of handcrafting a burial vessel and giving dignity to the veteran and their spouse.
VHI is a volunteer-driven organization that is totally supported by donations to provide burial vessels for veterans and their spouses. Paul Redfield (VHI founder) wanted to show respect for the men and women who were willing to risk their lives so everyone could enjoy freedom and democracy. He wanted to guarantee that all veterans, regardless of their financial circumstances, had a dignified burial vessel.
Many of the volunteers are veterans and retired and donating their time to build each vessel by hand in Hot Springs (west river) and Sioux Falls (east river). There is no doubt our VHI team take great pride in the work they do.
Several teams get together at various times to construct vessels and share stories. The time our volunteers spend working together not only benefits the vessels’ recipients, but also helps the volunteers themselves by working toward a common goal of giving fellow veterans the honor they deserve. Studies have proven that using their hands and interacting with other veterans helps people build new friendships.
VHI founder Paul Redfield, a resident of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home, conceived this project in 1999. Veterans Honored Interment (VHI) is the result of his vision of providing an honorable and dignified burial vessels for fellow veterans and their spouses.
Paul’s character was honed early in his life by his prairie upbringing, living through the great depression, and serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was involved in many community projects like supporting Prairie Village in Madison, SD, being the first to contribute to the state World War II memorial, and teaching younger citizens respect for the flag.
One of the most personal concerns of Paul was the dilemma when servicemen were returning home to which Paul was a personal witness. “A lot of them came home right after the war and they were penniless.” Many veterans were buried in dishonorable conditions, and Paul didn't want to see it happen at the state home. He wanted to show respect for those who were willing to leave their jobs and family and risk their lives so we can enjoy freedom and democracy. He wanted to guarantee that all veterans, regardless of their financial circumstances, had a dignified burial vessel.
Paul first obtained permission from the Blue Cloud Abby to utilize their proven simple design for the caskets. The Benedictine monks were located outside of Milbank, South Dakota for many years. With a little help from his friends at the State Veterans Home, Gary Schuh, the manager of PRO-Build in Hot Springs, and carpenter Lester Zimiga, the first VHI vessel was built in the Veterans Home Maintenance Shop by Lester. Soon after, production of vessels began at the Custer Youth Corrections Center in Custer, SD by supervised adult prisoner trusties. In November 2000, the first VHI casket was issued.
Later, the vessels were built by volunteers at the State Veterans Home, but the demand for them soon outpaced the limitations of the residents' age. Now, additional vessels are also crafted by veteran volunteers in Sioux Falls. These veterans have a great sense of camaraderie, pride, and devotion to their work. Upon Paul’s death in 2002, he was buried in the first prototype casket made by VHI volunteers.