More than 2,000 people packed into Patriots Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery Tuesday afternoon. Each person came to say ‘goodbye’ and salute Edward Pearson.
The Army veteran died Aug. 31 at the age of 80.
The Naples resident had no immediate family, but the funeral director had a plan to give Pearson one last amazing honor: An open invitation to the public.
“I stayed awake all night long the first time I heard this on the news. I said, ‘That’s not right. That’s a shame.’ I made a vow to myself and said I will be there as a veteran myself. No comrade should ever be left behind. Never,” said a man named Bob who spoke during the service Tuesday. “It broke my heart. And that he was going to be laid to rest with nobody around. To me, that’s not right. No veteran man or woman should ever have to have that happen to them,” he said.
Border Patrol commander vows continued tear gas use after Minnesota fedreal judge’s order
Tim Walz Gets the Response He Deserves After Suddenly Saying He Wants to ‘Turn the Temperature Down’
Minnesota National Guard placed on standby to support law enforcement as protests turn violent
Illegal migrant workers caught on camera leaping across rooftops to escape Border Patrol in California raid
‘SET UP’: Cohen Accuses Alvin Bragg, Letitia James of Coercing Him to Turn on Trump
Trump Gives Compassionate Response to Renee Good’s Father, Calls Her Likely ‘Wonderful’ Under ‘Normal Circumstances’
‘Where Was the Outrage?’: Father of 21-Year-Old Woman Killed By Illegal Rips Renee Good Protesters
One of Tyler Robinson’s last meals as a free man may have been a steak dinner — medium rare
Opinion: Thanks to the Woke Mind Virus Renee Good’s Son, 6, Will Grow up Without Parents – Satan Used, Abused, and Abandoned This Woman
Spanberger takes swipe at Trump admin, says Virginians worried about ‘recklessness coming out of Washington’
Archaeology: The 1st Extra-Biblical Proof That Pontius Pilate Lived, Literally Carved in Stone at Excavation Site in Ancient Biblical City
Police warn of ‘door kicking challenge’ that can turn viral prank ‘from funny to fatal’
Illegal immigrants rack up $1B+ in Texas hospital costs in FY 2025, total likely higher: report
US congressional delegation visits Denmark amid backlash over Trump’s push to acquire Greenland
81 GOP Lawmakers Just Voted to Fund an Elite Org That Exists to Elect Democrats and Suppress MAGA
They came from around the state and beyond to remember the Army veteran from Naples.
The Naples resident didn’t have any friends or family to bury him. Legacy Options Funeral Home in Naples posted an obituary for Pearson.
The line, “This veteran has no immediate family. All are welcome to attend,” captured the attention of the nation.
“People on the highway were saluting, motorcycles were joining in as we made our way up from Naples to Sarasota. It was a little overwhelming,” said Funeral Home Director Michael Hoyt.
Border Patrol commander vows continued tear gas use after Minnesota fedreal judge’s order
Tim Walz Gets the Response He Deserves After Suddenly Saying He Wants to ‘Turn the Temperature Down’
Minnesota National Guard placed on standby to support law enforcement as protests turn violent
Illegal migrant workers caught on camera leaping across rooftops to escape Border Patrol in California raid
‘SET UP’: Cohen Accuses Alvin Bragg, Letitia James of Coercing Him to Turn on Trump
Trump Gives Compassionate Response to Renee Good’s Father, Calls Her Likely ‘Wonderful’ Under ‘Normal Circumstances’
‘Where Was the Outrage?’: Father of 21-Year-Old Woman Killed By Illegal Rips Renee Good Protesters
One of Tyler Robinson’s last meals as a free man may have been a steak dinner — medium rare
Opinion: Thanks to the Woke Mind Virus Renee Good’s Son, 6, Will Grow up Without Parents – Satan Used, Abused, and Abandoned This Woman
Spanberger takes swipe at Trump admin, says Virginians worried about ‘recklessness coming out of Washington’
Archaeology: The 1st Extra-Biblical Proof That Pontius Pilate Lived, Literally Carved in Stone at Excavation Site in Ancient Biblical City
Police warn of ‘door kicking challenge’ that can turn viral prank ‘from funny to fatal’
Illegal immigrants rack up $1B+ in Texas hospital costs in FY 2025, total likely higher: report
US congressional delegation visits Denmark amid backlash over Trump’s push to acquire Greenland
81 GOP Lawmakers Just Voted to Fund an Elite Org That Exists to Elect Democrats and Suppress MAGA
The service was temporarily delayed while traffic issues resolved. Hoyt described how they got to the cemetery.
“It was like the parting of the seas. The motorcycles went down the middle and everybody pulled to the side and we came through with the hearse and the urn,” said Hoyt.
One social media post brought together strangers who uplifted one another and gave a veteran the farewell he deserves.
“If Ed where here today and saw this for him today he would laugh, cry and salute.” He’s been our neighbor for the last several years. He was a wonderful man and he deserves everything that happened for him here today. Thank you,” said a woman.
Sarasota National Cemetery holds services for veterans without any family or friends on a weekly basis.
If you’d like to find out more information about how you can attend contact Sarasota National Cemetery at (941)-722-7200.
A small look at the crowd at Patriot Plaza. There’s easily more than a thousand people here. The service has been delayed. We are told traffic is backed up on Clark Road and the interstate @FOX13News #Sarasota pic.twitter.com/gyH1FLvPtt
— Kim Kuizon FOX 13 (@kkuizon) October 1, 2019
Story cited here.
