KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) — It was poignant and somber, and yet it was also uplifting.
On Wednesday, three unclaimed veterans received full military honors as they were laid to rest at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery before a crowd of local residents, elected officials and representatives from each of the branches they served.
“There is a popular saying that no one is dead as long as their name is spoken,” said Chaplin John Justice, who is currently chaplain of the Vietnam Veterans of America. “Why do we honor them today? Because each of them is now a part of us.”
Justice, who is a Vietnam veteran, added that during basic training he was taught “never to leave anyone behind” – even if the person died. He noted that power rests in a name and that the three unclaimed veterans each deserved his name spoken aloud.
Then he said:
- TSG Brian Neil Forbes, US Air Force, (1971-1987)
- PFC Robert James Vargo; US Army (1978)
- SP4 George Edwin Day, Jr., US Army (1970-1972)
They are now interred during an annual service designed to provide a dignified military-precision ceremony that also features Honor Guards.
On Wednesday, they played Taps, they offered a 21-gun salute and they folded U.S. flags, which were presented to members of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
The service is part of a collaboration between Berry Funeral Home/Dignity Memorial, the Knox County RFC and the cemetery.
“It’s always an honor to be able to pay final respect to these men and women who served our country with distinction,” said Chris Thomas, director and chief administrative officer of the Knox County RFC. “Regardless of the circumstances prior to their death, they served our country and deserve our utmost respect and this honor.”
The RFC first cremates the decedents and Berry Funeral Home/Dignity Memorial provides free urns and works with the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery to plan and organize the service.
From there, each urn is placed in its own hearse and driven slowly to its grave, escorted by members of the military branch in which they served and members of local bike chapters. A flag is then folded and presented to the next of kin. In the case of the unclaimed, the next of kin are the staff of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
There are a number of reasons the veterans go unclaimed. Sometimes law enforcement cannot find the next of kin and sometimes no next of kin exists. Others time, the KCRFC finds a friend or family member, but they are un able or unwilling to make arrangements.
As it stands, roughly 60 veterans during the past 15 years fit one of these reasons.
The KCRFC’s list of unclaimed veterans can be found here.
