5 minute read
Remembering our forgotten heroes
State Veterans Cemetery makes sure all veterans properly buried
By David Sutton
VETERANS HELP NET CORRESPONDENT
In a solemn ceremony at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, military personnel, private citizens, and other dignitaries recently gathered to memorialize and honor 106 American heroes and their families. The 106 heroes were those whose cremated remains were unclaimed.
On a cold, overcast day, five urns were placed beneath folded U.S. flags as a representation of the fallen veterans.
The “Forgotten Heroes” ceremony was the result of two years of research, authentication and locating the remains of more than 200 sailors, soldiers, Marines, Coast Guard members and Merchant Marines that had gone unclaimed.
The Nov. 16 ceremony was this year’s final ritual coordinated by Missing In America, an organization whose job it is to find the remains of those left behind, unclaimed. MIA officials spent months preparing the unclaimed remains of veterans, their wives and their children for the ceremony.
“Today we have 106 military men and women, 19 wives, and 8 children,” said Tom Keating, Project Coordinator for MIA.
Preparation for the Washington State Veterans Cemetery event began in September 2020, Keating noted. He said the remains of three U.S. Navy sailors were buried at sea.
Among those being honored at the inurnment rite was the wife of Army Capt. John Kenzie, a veteran of several Indian battles dating back to the late 1800s.
Rudy Lopez, cemetery director, said most of the cremated remains came to the Medical Lake cemetery via regional and statewide funeral homes.
“These men and women have relatives who want the forgotten warriors buried here so they can visit the graves, Lopez added.
The ceremony, sponsored by Service Corporation International, a large Texas-based conglomeration of funeral homes and cemeteries worldwide, included full military honors performed by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, and the Naval Reserve Center, whose sailors presented the traditional Bell Ringing ceremony reserved for honoring fallen sailors.
Lopez led the program with a minute of silence respecting the lives and the commitment of the veterans.
“I have a heartfelt appreciation for those who have transported these remains of our Forgotten Heroes to us today,” said Alfie Alvarado Ramos, director of the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs. Many of the urns were transported from Tahoma National Cemetery, located in Renton, to the Medical Lake facility. A similar memorial service honoring the veterans was held Nov. 11 at the western Washington location.
Ramos also recognized
See CEREMONY, 9
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID SUTTON
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard presented colors at a ceremony at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery that laid 106 service members to rest.
The ceremony at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery laid 106 service members to rest. Bagpipe music was also played as part of the ceremony, provided by Kenyon Fields.
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Quotes help recognize value of veterans
– Elmer Davis, American journalist
– Dan Lipinski, former U.S. Representative
COURTESY OF DAVID SUTTON
The urns containing the remains for some service members. CEREMONY
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and thanked the efforts of the MIA for the hard work they did to make the ceremony possible.
“People often ask why are cremated remains forgotten or gone unclaimed at local funeral homes,” said Rob Goff, CEO of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association. “Many times, the families do not want to endure the emotional pain suffered in claiming their loved ones.”
Goff also noted that many times the family will designate someone to claim the remains and that person will forget to make the claim. Most of the time family and friends are just not around anymore, he added.
Those attending the event were community representatives, friends and neighbors. Some of them volunteered to help unload vehicles carrying the cremated remains so they could be placed in designated spaces.
“The community has come today to make sure their heroes receive a descent burial with honors. We commend them for their love and concern,” said David Puente, WDVA Deputy Director. “This is a very dignified burial.”
Those who attended the ceremony remained solemn as the events of the day continued. One of the featured speakers, former U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Herker, informed the audience that the “mission of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was to honor their fellow comrades-in- arms as they are laid to rest.”
“We believe that no fighting warrior or support personnel should ever be left behind or forgotten,” he said. Herker is a member of VFW Post 3386 in Airway Heights.
As Kenyon Fields played the bagpipes in the background, the Dignity Memorial hearse began to depart the WSVC chapel to deliver the Forgotten Heroes to their final resting place. A dozen men from the American Legion Patriot Riders honored their departed comrades with extended hand salutes.
The day of honor, respect and dignity had ended. Dr. David Sutton is an Army veteran and served on the staff of the Commander- in-Chief Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii. He is retired and does freelance writing. He resides in Spokane with his wife, Vickie.
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