More than 300 people showed up to a World War II veteran’s funeral service last week after finding out that the veteran had no close family or friends left to lay him to rest.
To honor the veteran, more than 300 people showed up at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Oregon.
Harold Eugene Baker, 91 died last month of natural causes, but had left behind no loved ones to help lay him to rest.
Baker created his own funeral arrangements with the Chapel of the Valley Funeral Home in Grants Pass, Oregon.
After his death, the funeral home published his obituary and invited the public to attend when they found out he was a World War II veteran.
Multiple people called up the funeral home telling them that they would be there to honor him.
After the story had spread more than 300 people were in attendance.
Multiple veterans organizations showed up, including the Old Guard Riders and The Missing in America Project.
The ceremony included a rifle salute and a motorcade processional. Planes from the Rogue Valley Flying Club flew in the “Missing Man Formation” as well.
“He would have been tickled and would be having a laugh,” Leila Bradish, a pre-planning adviser at the funeral home, told CNN. “He was a very funny, humble guy.”
“I don’t know if any person could expect this type of outpouring. Any individual. It just shows how much our community and our nation cares about our veterans and our military,” she told KTVL.
[revad2]
