“UNCLAIMED” VETS TO BE INTERRED WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS …
The remains of six “unclaimed” American veterans will be interred with full military honors this week at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, S.C.
Legionnaires from American Legion Post 193 of Chapin S.C. will lead the procession, which will begin at 10:20 a.m. EST on Friday March 3, 2017 from Chapin’s town hall (157 Columbia Avenue).
Those receiving honors are: Captain, Robert L. Saulter, SGT James C. Williamson Jr., SPC, Rudy L. Burriss, SPC James D. Roberts, PFC Thomas Dash and veteran Walter Saunder – all of whom served in the U.S. Army.
“Little is known about these five veterans beyond the fact that combined they served their country for over 34 years and that there is no family to lay them to rest with the honor and dignity they deserve,” said Steve Goulet, the first vice commander of the Chapin-based American Legion post. “The American Legion, Patriot Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and many other veterans from across the state will ensure that these six heroes receive the honorable and dignified interment they deserve.”
Goulet’s organization isn’t the only group participating in this week’s ceremony. Ladson, S.C.-based Their Last Ride motorcycle hearse service will transport the cremated remains of these veterans to their final resting place – accompanied by American Legion riders and members of the Patriot Guard. Also, juveniles from the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) – who designed and built the urns used in the service – will also pay their respects at Friday’s ceremony.
American Legion chaplain Richard Mullinax will officiate at the ceremony, with an honor guard from Fort Jackson, South Carolina and American Legion Post 71, North Augusta providing full military honors.
The service is open to the public.
Clearly this website has never been keen on America’s interventionist foreign policies, but we have always honored and respected the individual sacrifice of the men and women who chose to serve their country in this way. We’re glad to see them being honored – and we’re glad to see these groups (especially the SCDJJ charges) collaborating to that end.
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