Wilbur Hoffman’s friends
CDR DC USN (ret) sends us a link to the story of Wilbur Hoffman, a World War II Navy veteran who had been robbed and assaulted several times in recent years. The police officers of the 104th Precinct in New York City adopted the 91-year-old after a number of times they were forced to deal with him. The youngster passed away late last month, and seeing as how he was a member of the 104th Precinct family, they made sure he got a well-attended send off.
Officers from the precinct coordinated obtaining the necessary paperwork from Hoffman’s home to make it possible for him to get a military burial.
Hoffman was laid to rest at a service Friday at the George Werst Funeral Home — which has donated space to dozens of indigent veterans.
The city’s veterans’ affairs department assisted in his funeral and burial at a nearby cemetery. Members of the Queens County American Legion gave him a proper military service, saluting him as his flag-draped casket was brought out by the NYPD’s Honor Guard. Photos of Hoffman when he was a young sailor were on display along with his discharge papers and his high school diploma.
In recent years, the officers had taken special care of Wilbur – they installed a security system in his home and kept an eye on him from outside his home. Thanks for taking care of our brother, officers of the 104th Precinct.
Category: Police
Good job by the NYPD.
RIP sailor…and many thanks to the NYPD
Sailor, rest your oar. Very well done to the NYPD.
Fair winds and following seas sailor. BZ!
Great story. A salute to the 104th (Queens) and the funeral home.
The funeral home (Werst) is part of the Dignity Memorial group of funeral homes that provides over-and-above services to family of the deceased. It also provides–at its own cost–free services to Veterans who pass without family. “Through the program, homeless and indigent veterans who have no family to claim them are identified and provided with a proper military burial. Dignity Memorial providers supply preparation of the body, transportation, clothing, casket and coordination of the funeral service.” As they say of their own program, “Honored in Death for Their Service in Life”–Dignity Memorial for Veterans
Farewell Sailor, may you finally rest in peace. Thank you for your service.
Damn, it got misty here all of a sudden. Must be the allergies.
RIP, sailor.
And job well done, NYPD. Thanks from all us brothers-in-arms.
Thank you, NYPD for taking care of one of our own.
Rest in Peace, Sailor. You are not forgotten.
rest well
Salute
R.I.P Sailor and a hearty KUDOS to the NYPD for what they did
Little bit of CS powder in the room again it seems…
WOW! Great story… A friend who served in the Navy passed away and we didn’t hear until a few weeks later.
Pissed us off to hear his cousins had him cremated and as his relatives got his estate. Cory should of got his Military funeral and we have nowhere to mourn him.
We never knew that he had cousins since he never talked about them and was with us on holidays after his parents passed.
RIP CORY
RIP, Sailor! Fair winds and following seas! And kudos to the NYPD.
RIP Wilbur Hoffman… BZ to the Officers of the 104th Precinct of the NYPD for looking after one of our own.
My personal and very heartfelt gratitude to the 104th Precinct.
Next time I’m in the city I’ll be stopping in to see who needs a cold one.
“The precinct’s current head, Captain Mark Wachter, paid for lights and panic alarms out of his own pocket, Mackie said.”
Thank you for taking care of one of our brothers. RIP sailor.
Rest in Peace Sir, a fitting send off to a Warrior of WWII. And a big Semper Fidelis to the the police officers of the 104th Precinct.
Rest Well brother and thanks to the men and women in the 104 for taking care of him.
RIP, sailor, and many thanks to the NYPD for caring for him in his time of need.