Twenty-two unaccompanied Veterans were honored as they were laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico Sept. 23.
Service members from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps who served their country and died with no friends or family to claim their remains were surrounded by members of the community during a funeral service with full military honors.
During the service, remarks were given by Cemetery Director Victor L. Vasquez and Sonya Smith, secretary of the state Department of Veterans Services.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham gave the eulogy and members of the New Mexico National Guard performed a 21-gun salute.
“My staff and I want to thank everyone in attendance today and for providing this final sendoff for these departed brothers of ours,” said Vasquez, also a Navy Veteran. “Thank you for ensuring that they were not alone and not forgotten in the end.”
The unaccompanied Veterans funeral service is held at Santa Fe National Cemetery once a year. Unclaimed Veteran remains are collected throughout the state of New Mexico and are honored at the National Cemetery with full military honors all in one ceremony.
All the Veterans’ remains had been cremated.
These ceremonies would not be possible without the help of the Forgotten Hero program, Veteran Service Organizations, and local government partners. The state Department of Veterans Services has hosted an annual Forgotten Heroes Memorial Ceremony honoring unclaimed Veterans since 2009.
The 22 Veterans not to be forgotten are:
The Santa Fe National Cemetery is a national shrine, which serves as a reminder of the untold histories of the Veterans who have helped preserve our nation’s freedom.
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements, as applicable by law and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
For more information, call 800-535-1117 or visit www.cem.va.gov.
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Amazing to me that a country that has tremendous prosperity but the poverty of connection and caring for one another is pervasive and alarming. No one should ever die a lonely, desolate death. God's peace be with those who have departed, served and sacrificed for their country. Thanks to those few who ensured no veteran dies alone. I suggest that the reporters of this article provide those who care about our fellow veterans with more information on the Forgotten Hero Program. Please provide more complete information on this important program (web site directory resource info).
Thank you.