Missing in America Project
AW1Ed sends us a link to Fox News about the Missing in America Project which insures that veterans get the burial that they deserve;
Like other veterans identified by the organization, Goulet said Friday’s group of South Carolina soldiers from Charleston, Horry and Lexington counties went unclaimed most likely because they had no known living relatives to claim their remains, leaving their cremated remains destined to languish in funeral homes and on shelves at coroners’ offices. In other cases, the remains may be abandoned by family members who could not afford to cover burial costs, he said.
They also have a Facebook page.
Along the same lines, Jilly sends us link to Opposing Views which says that Wreaths Across America is falling short of their goals this year, I suppose because the troops have fallen to a back bench behind all of the other crap going on in the country today.
The practice began in 1992 when Worcester Wreath Company donated 5000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetary, who decides where the wreaths are placed. However, as the size of the donation increased, members of Wreaths Across America have always decorated headstones in Section 60, the resting place for many soldiers of the current conflicts. Last year, according to The Washington Post, the group was able to lay 110,600 wreaths, amounting to a little over a third of all Arlington headstones. On top of that, the group was also able to lay 400,000 wreaths in veteran cemeteries across the country.
This year, however, they failed to raise around $525,000 that they needed to hit their goals. Thus, this year only 100,000 wreaths will be sent to Arlington. Fortunately, another 370,000 to 400,000 wreaths will ship to about 900 cemeteries this year, up one hundred from 2012, according to the Associated Press. So, despite individual donations being down, the group’s outreach continues to expand.
Do what you will with that information.
Category: Support the troops
I suspect that the absence of comments in this thread reflects the disbelief that some deceased Veterans are among the reported thousands of cremated remains sitting in tin cans and other containers in warehouses, storerooms, and basements of hospitals and funeral homes throughout the country. Whatever the reason for it, there is something terribly, terribly wrong.
Sounds like a group worthy of further investigation to see just how they operate. Some years ago, there was such a group, doing truly wonderful things, but I have no idea if this is it. If so, and they are still operating honorably, something for us to give serious consideration.
It’s an unfortunate fact of life. With over 22 million vets out there overall – a large number of whom are elderly – there will be a small fraction who outlive and/or are estranged from their families.
Kudos to those in the MiAP for stepping in and doing the right thing.
As a representative in my county for the MIAP it’s really sad to see some of the conditions under which some of these unclaimed folks are “stored”. We are finding and burying (sp) an average of 15 per quarter. Thanks for the publicity.
We have help here to get the unclaimed remains and they get a proper burial, finally. It took some doing, no doubt and it will be easier from here on.
As for the Wreath Across America? I sponsored 10, but you can do just one for 15 bucks…Come on, “dickweeds”, ante up for your comrades departed!
@4. Pete: Once the remains are identified as those of a Veteran, what costs are associated with the burial? Also, I do not understand why the VA does not have a section dedicated to this effort. Any info you can offer (or anyone else who knows) will be appreciated. And, Pete, that’s a helluva good thing you’re doing. You, too, DefendUSA. Careful or you might give TAH a good name.
The NM PRG does escort missions for unclaimed veterans to the Santa Fe National Cemetary a couple of times a year. American Legion Post 69 provides a sharp Honor Guard and bugler. These missions seem to have a higher turn out than most.
That should have been “NM PGR.” Not “NM PRG.”
Patriot Guard Riders in New Mexico is what I meant.
@6 The costs are none. The cemetary donates the grave and at least in my area we have donors standing in line to cover any incidentals. The VA finally several years ago, thanks to Fred our founder to let us have access to identification so we can determine if they are vets without going via FOIA. Mostly we gather the cremains and escort them in a motorcycle procession to the cemetary and we stand as their family. Often we invite schools and other folks to witness what’s going on, it’s quite emotional and educational for the kids at the same time.