A lifetime of mourning for a 74-year-old member of the Gila River Indian Community has come to an end. Laverne McAfee was finally able to welcome her father home.
It was a day Laverne McAfee never expected. Her father, Sgt. Johnson McAfee Jr., who was killed in one of the Korean War's most brutal battles, received full military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on March 23.
“We celebrate you today, sir,” said Bishop Rick Garrett, Sr. “We celebrate your life and we celebrate your accomplishments.”
As six Marines carried a flag-draped coffin holding Sgt. McAfee’s remains, his daughter’s eyes filled with tears. Still, she said this is a time to celebrate because she’s spent 68 years mourning.
McAfee's remains were apparently included among the more than 2,700 sets of remains that were returned to the U.S. as part of "Operation Glory" after the war and were among the 848 sets that were unidentified and were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the "Punchbowl" in Honolulu. His remains were positively identified by the DPAA last year and returned to his family.
“His country gave him a Purple Heart medal and his Lord gave him everlasting life,” said Yasmine Dorsey, the great-granddaughter Sgt. McAfee never met.
She shared his life story with a group gathered at the main stage. “He decided to enter the Marine Corps instead of entering the University of Arizona, putting his desire to become a teacher on hold.”
When a local newspaper reported Sgt. McAfee’s death it included a quote from his enlistment application. McAfee said he wanted to join the Marines because they’re tough. He wrote, “A Pima boy was killed recently in the South Pacific and I want to take his place.” Sgt.McAfee fought in World War II before deploying more than 6,000 miles away to Korea.
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It was a day Laverne McAfee never expected. Her father, Sgt. Johnson McAfee Jr., who was killed in one of the Korean War's most brutal battles, received full military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on March 23.
“We celebrate you today, sir,” said Bishop Rick Garrett, Sr. “We celebrate your life and we celebrate your accomplishments.”
As six Marines carried a flag-draped coffin holding Sgt. McAfee’s remains, his daughter’s eyes filled with tears. Still, she said this is a time to celebrate because she’s spent 68 years mourning.
McAfee's remains were apparently included among the more than 2,700 sets of remains that were returned to the U.S. as part of "Operation Glory" after the war and were among the 848 sets that were unidentified and were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the "Punchbowl" in Honolulu. His remains were positively identified by the DPAA last year and returned to his family.
“His country gave him a Purple Heart medal and his Lord gave him everlasting life,” said Yasmine Dorsey, the great-granddaughter Sgt. McAfee never met.
She shared his life story with a group gathered at the main stage. “He decided to enter the Marine Corps instead of entering the University of Arizona, putting his desire to become a teacher on hold.”
When a local newspaper reported Sgt. McAfee’s death it included a quote from his enlistment application. McAfee said he wanted to join the Marines because they’re tough. He wrote, “A Pima boy was killed recently in the South Pacific and I want to take his place.” Sgt.McAfee fought in World War II before deploying more than 6,000 miles away to Korea.
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Welcome home niijiikiwem.
Waanakiwin.
Poignant.
SGT. McAfee was with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. 1st Marine division.
He was KIA in the vicinity of Chosin Reservior at outpost Fox Hill.
They are the best of us.
May the Source of all peace, comfort and consolation bring these and many other needed things to this noble warrior and his descendants.
Enoch.
Indeed they are niijii.
Yep. I started crying before I finished reading. Dang it, Kav, you do this to me every time.
Another ''Pima Boy'' was Ira Hayes, one of the Marines that raised the flag on Iwo Jima.
Semper Fi Sgt McAfee - RIP and welcome home.