Army of strangers show up to honor Air Force veteran at his funeral
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
In Killeen, Texas, more than 1,000 strangers showed up from miles around to say farewell to an Air Force veteran they never met. Joseph Walker, 72, died alone, but people were determined he would not be laid to rest alone.
"Today we are not strangers. Today we are family. I don't have a whole lot of information but it doesn't matter because once upon a time like a lot of other vets, he signed a blank check for our nation," said Marc George of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
A Texas state agency put out a call for the funeral, fearing no one would attend. They needn't have worried because the appeal attracted an army of people who never met Walker.
A group of bikers rode 50 miles and a trio of planes performed a flyover. A flag draped over his coffin and was carefully folded and presented in his memory.
Little is known about Walker, except that he served his country in the Air Force during Vietnam and was buried with full military honors. Even without loved ones, he would get the send off every service member deserves.
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To me, this is really sad - A military veteran - all alone -- no friends, family, neighbors.
As a Vietnam Vet, I am beginning to realize that, truly, there aren't too many of us left. 'Nam started with U.S. involvement in '56 and ended in '75 - 19 years. Those involved in '56 at 18, would be 'bout 81 now. Those involved in '75 at 18, would be 'bout 62 now. Not young chickens anymore. (these ages could be wrong 'cause math and I are very distant acquaintances).
Little is known about Walker, except that he served his country in the Air Force during Vietnam and was buried with full military honors. Even without loved ones, he would get the send off every service member deserves.
RIP Mr. Walker - RIP.
RIP Mr Walker. This broke down retired sailor thanks you four service from the bottom of his heart. You are not alone Sir. You join the exalted company of other vets who served their country honorably and faithfully as you did.
First off, RIP Mr. Walker.
I entered the military in 1959 and left in 1965...One tour in Germany and two in Vietnam. Yup, getting old there 1st. I'm 78 now and 1959 at times feels like yesterday and other times it was centuries ago.
Semper FI and Airborne all the way.
RIP Mr. Walker and thank you.....
I posted several years ago about a navy WWII/Korea vet that died leaving no family and how a group of highschool teens took it upon themselves to see that he was buried with the honors he so richly deserved....
As the greatest generation and their children who also served pass, this is going to become more and more prevalent.
It will be a sad day when there is no one left to remember....
It's nice that Mr. Walker was not alone when he was buried. It would have been better if he wasn't alone in his life.
RIP and thank you for serving this nation in a thankless war.
Evening..Glad he was given a good and well deserved send off....Yes the world is changing..over the years neighbours no longer speak to their neighbours and keep to themselves...My friend of 37 years passed away last year..She was totally alone..No family and in the end no one called on her other than myself...She had basically turned into a recluse...So if there are elderly people near you maybe knock on the door and just simply say "hello how are you??"...There are many people in this day and age who have literally no one...Sleep well Mr Walker.....
This reminded me of another story I watched recently:
"For most of us, being a good neighbor means loaning a stick of butter, maybe the occasional social visit. But Kathy Felt, of Sandy, Utah, says whatever your standard, it pales compared to what her neighbors did for her.
Her reaction? "I cried, just like now. I was so moved. This is my miracle."
Kathy's miracle began about 10 years ago. Her multiple sclerosis had progressed to the point where she couldn't even get into bed. And since she lived alone, the only logical, long-term solution seemed to be a nursing home.
Until, one day, the guy next door came over and presented Kathy with a list of about 60 men from the neighborhood who were willing to come over, in teams of two, to put Kathy to bed.
A cross-section of Kathy's aides described the process:
"Take off her slippers, take off her socks."
"One guy gets on one side and one guy gets on the other side. Lift her up, put her on the bed."
"You've got to have a pillow under this foot; it's got to be over that way."
"Things need to be just so."
"She finally says, 'I feel good.'"
"Pull the covers up and she's tucked in for the night."
"We leave the kiss out."
This has been going on seven days a week for 10 years.
"We're going to be here as long as she needs us," said Keith Pugmire, the main organizer. "Our challenge is to get everybody a time."
"Wait, wait, wait, you've got more volunteers than you need?" asked Hartman.
"Yeah!"
"What kind of neighborhood is this?"
"This is a great neighborhood! There's some houses for sale if you want to move in!" he laughed.
Proof that while sometimes it seems we've never been more divided, there's still civility, empathy, kindness and love among us and it's is up to us to reflect it to those around us and make sure the veterans, widows, homeless, disabled and the less fortunate aren't forgotten and cast aside as too expensive or a burden on society.
DP (hope you don't mind just using the initials) - excellent example of how we "USED" to do things here at home.
Thank you.
Again I can say "Life imitates Art". One of my favourite TV series was The West Wing. There was an episode where a vet died, and the only relative he had left was his homeless mentally challenged brother, and it would be a pauper's burial. Toby found out about it and arranged a full military burial with servicemen pallbearers, a gun salute, a bugler, a flag taken off the casket, folded and handed to the brother who was accompanied by his best friend, Toby and Mrs. Callingham. When POTUS Jeb Bartlet (Martin Sheen) found out about it, he gave Toby shit for spending public money, and then thanked him for what he did.
Did anyone else watch that episode?
The Marines guarding the gates will snap-to and welcome you in Mr Walker.
RIP Air Force ..... we've got the watch.
Only in Texas.
Not why I moved here, but one reason I stay.
RIP, Mr Walker. Thank-you for your service