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.
11 skydivers, one pilot killed in Missouri plane crash near airport
Sen Mitch McConnell hospitalized, ‘receiving excellent care,’ his office says
Republican leaders embrace viral World Cup fans they say are discovering the ‘real America’
Another One: German Woman Beheaded, Homeless African Male Arrested for Murder Earlier in 2026
Is AI Making Your Kids Dumber? Over Half of Teachers Surveyed Say It May Be
Spy Agencies Have Exploded in Size – Trump’s Intel Chiefs Are the First to Downsize
Evil Among Us: Black Magic Suspected After Cameras Capture Goat Being Dragged Into Office Building, Then More Chilling Pics Found Online
From Wasserman Schultz to Goldman, Democratic incumbents are fighting for survival
These 11 upcoming Supreme Court decisions could make or break Trump’s second term agenda
Secret evidence filed in Anna Kepner Carnival cruise murder case as feds push to jail accused stepbrother
Chinese Spies May Be Stalking You on Your Job Hunt
VIDEO: DWI Suspect Fleeing Cops Is Stopped Dead in His Tracks by Alligator… and It Attacked
Alleged Malibu serial squatter featured in new docuseries after years of homeowner complaints
Partner of woman killed by dogs recently saved neighbor wounded in similar attack: court records
Promises kept: Howard Lutnick on the anniversary of the deal that saved U.S. Steel
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.
11 skydivers, one pilot killed in Missouri plane crash near airport
Sen Mitch McConnell hospitalized, ‘receiving excellent care,’ his office says
Republican leaders embrace viral World Cup fans they say are discovering the ‘real America’
Another One: German Woman Beheaded, Homeless African Male Arrested for Murder Earlier in 2026
Is AI Making Your Kids Dumber? Over Half of Teachers Surveyed Say It May Be
Spy Agencies Have Exploded in Size – Trump’s Intel Chiefs Are the First to Downsize
Evil Among Us: Black Magic Suspected After Cameras Capture Goat Being Dragged Into Office Building, Then More Chilling Pics Found Online
From Wasserman Schultz to Goldman, Democratic incumbents are fighting for survival
These 11 upcoming Supreme Court decisions could make or break Trump’s second term agenda
Secret evidence filed in Anna Kepner Carnival cruise murder case as feds push to jail accused stepbrother
Chinese Spies May Be Stalking You on Your Job Hunt
VIDEO: DWI Suspect Fleeing Cops Is Stopped Dead in His Tracks by Alligator… and It Attacked
Alleged Malibu serial squatter featured in new docuseries after years of homeowner complaints
Partner of woman killed by dogs recently saved neighbor wounded in similar attack: court records
Promises kept: Howard Lutnick on the anniversary of the deal that saved U.S. Steel
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.
