Eight Veterans, whose remains were never claimed by family members or friends, received a proper and distinguished burial with full military honors at the Dallas –Fort Worth National Cemetery this morning, May 26.
On a cloudy overcast day more than 100 individuals, who never knew these Veterans, showed up to show their honor and respect to Navy Veterans Bryan Paul Yates, James E. Workman, Jr., Schuyler Allen Whitney, Franklin Ambrose Sentell, Vivian Regina Lary and Army Veterans Terry Jay Pickering, Johnny Dale Harvey and Ruben Isaac Young.
“We’re here to ensure that no Veteran is alone when they are laid to rest,” said Rick Crabb, a ride captain for the North Texas chapter of the Patriot Guard. The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Honor Guard, the Texas National Guard Military Funeral Honors teams took part in the burial services.
The group simultaneously folded the eight American flags and then one-by-one presented the flag to eight designees representing the deceased families.
“Nobody knows these men and woman here. Not one of us,” said Crabb. “But they’re home with fellow Veterans here now.”
Many of the mourners present indicated that while these Veterans may not have had any family members present at their funeral, “we’re their family,” said one woman as tears swelled in her eyes.
“We are humbled to help provide the military honors these Veterans deserve,” said Larry Williams, director of the DFW National Cemetery. “It is important to express our country’s deep gratitude for veterans like these who have served our nation in the Armed Forces.”
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Every eligible Veteran deserves a dignified burial and memorialization to commemorate their service.
Thank you all for the honorable and brave service which you gave to our country. May you all RIP.
The article says that their remains were not claimed, it doesn’t mean they had no family.
What am awesome measure of respect. I wish I could have been there. Bravo Zulu
God bless all those who have served and who are serving.
Every American citizen should whole heartedly take time to give thanks for their efforts and sacrifices given for where we live and make our lives at.
Fair winds and following seas on wherever their journey takes them. Thank you so much.
You are respected and thanked for your service and the courage to do so.
Thank you for this well deserved honor. May their families find peace. From a fellow veteran
Doesn’t the Army or Navy collect information regarding their service men. There should be any mother or father or brothers and sisters looking for these brave soldiers who died for their country and there no family or related? Is unbelievable. How long did these heroe served to the country and died for it.?