‘We are their family’: Chapin American Legion Honors Six Unclaimed Veterans with Full Military Burial
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. – An Honorable Farewell to Six Heroic Veterans
In a touching display of respect and acknowledgement, American Legion Post 193 from Chapin, South Carolina, ensured six unclaimed veterans were not forgotten. The Legion hosted a solemn ceremony on Friday to give the veterans a proper military burial at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
Paying their respects and showing gratitude were the American Legions, Patriot Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Veterans of Foreign War, and other officials, veterans, and citizens from across the state. The Whitaker Funeral Home assumed the responsibility of transporting the cremated remains of the six veterans from the Chapin American Legion Post 193 to their final resting place.
A Special Service for Six Special Heroes
The six veterans, each of whom dutifully served their country, are US Army SSG Howard Weitzell, US Marine Corps CPL Alfred A. Scott, US Air Force A1C Michael McKinney, US Air Force A3C Harry Fee, US Air Force AB Billy R. Morelock, II, and US Coast Guard SN Earnest Ramsey. An honor guard from the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, and American Legion Post 71, North Augusta provided full military honors as part of the ceremony, officiated by Post 193 Chaplain Richard Mullinax.
Tom Yeoman, a member of the post 193 in Chapin, spoke to HERE News about the origins and purpose of this initiative. He said, “It started out as a missing in America organization where unclaimed veterans were not being properly taken care of and it started out as missing in America and now it is something we do state-wide.” Yeoman stressed the importance of these ceremonies, highlighting the fact that unclaimed veterans should never feel alone in their last journey.
Reuniting Old Friends and Offering Final Goodbyes
Among the ceremony attendees stood Jordan Boggs, who shared a touching story of her long-lost friend and deceased veteran Michael McKinney. Reuniting a few years back, Jordan became the health proxy for McKinney, committing to get him the honor he deserved posthumously. Grateful for the opportunity to bid her friend a proper farewell, Jordan spoke to HERE News about the ceremony.
She said, “Overwhelmingly beautiful, He will be at rest with other veterans. It just makes my heart feel very full that he trusted me that much and that he knew that I cared about him enough to make the best decisions possible to make sure that he was cared for as well as he could be.” This sentiment echoed the sentiments of many in attendance at this respectful, deserved homage to six true patriots, symbolizing the profound bonds that form in the battlefield and endured over time.
Final Salutes and Continued Honor
In closing, Chapin’s American Legion Post 193 exhibited a profound act of unity, recognition, and respect to the memory of these unclaimed veterans. With this ceremony and full military burial, the community affirmed its commitment to honor those who laid down their lives for this great nation – a commitment that will be passed down to generations and serve as a testament to the bravery, courage, and sacrifice that these six veterans embodied.
