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.
2 detained after shooting in New York leaves 15-year-old killed, two others wounded: police
Guards at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ beat, pepper-sprayed detainees, lawyer says
‘We’re taxing the rich’: NYC Mayor Mamdani touts new $500M-a-year tax on luxury second homes
Navy reservist accused of murdering wife and hiding her body in freezer arrested after international manhunt
Watch: Comedian Dave Chappelle Refuses to Let NPR Reporter Shame Him for Trans Jokes
Sotomayor walks back remarks criticizing Kavanaugh, says comments were ‘inappropriate’
Sheriff sues woman who allegedly made up ICE detention, enjoyed spa day in ‘hoax’ compared to Jussie Smollett
Bessent says Trump tariffs could return by July after Supreme Court setback
Leftist Darlng Hasan Piker Given Chance to Walk Back Hamas Sympathy – Instead, He Says He’d ‘Vote’ for Them
BREAKING: Whistleblower Who Helped Kick off Trump Impeachment Has Been Hit with Criminal Referrals
Democratic secretary of state was ‘prepared’ for FBI raid in Arizona, emails show
Swalwell Scandal Reveals ‘How the Democrat Party Controls Its Members Through Blackmail,’ Stephen Miller Says
Melania Trump challenges Congress to make her foster care executive order permanent law: ‘Their birthright’
Chilling Claim from Ex-Congressman: The House Page Program Was Cut Because Kids Were Being ‘Assaulted’ by Lawmakers
Spanberger receives DHS plea to hold illegal immigrant repeat offender now charged in attempted rape
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.
2 detained after shooting in New York leaves 15-year-old killed, two others wounded: police
Guards at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ beat, pepper-sprayed detainees, lawyer says
‘We’re taxing the rich’: NYC Mayor Mamdani touts new $500M-a-year tax on luxury second homes
Navy reservist accused of murdering wife and hiding her body in freezer arrested after international manhunt
Watch: Comedian Dave Chappelle Refuses to Let NPR Reporter Shame Him for Trans Jokes
Sotomayor walks back remarks criticizing Kavanaugh, says comments were ‘inappropriate’
Sheriff sues woman who allegedly made up ICE detention, enjoyed spa day in ‘hoax’ compared to Jussie Smollett
Bessent says Trump tariffs could return by July after Supreme Court setback
Leftist Darlng Hasan Piker Given Chance to Walk Back Hamas Sympathy – Instead, He Says He’d ‘Vote’ for Them
BREAKING: Whistleblower Who Helped Kick off Trump Impeachment Has Been Hit with Criminal Referrals
Democratic secretary of state was ‘prepared’ for FBI raid in Arizona, emails show
Swalwell Scandal Reveals ‘How the Democrat Party Controls Its Members Through Blackmail,’ Stephen Miller Says
Melania Trump challenges Congress to make her foster care executive order permanent law: ‘Their birthright’
Chilling Claim from Ex-Congressman: The House Page Program Was Cut Because Kids Were Being ‘Assaulted’ by Lawmakers
Spanberger receives DHS plea to hold illegal immigrant repeat offender now charged in attempted rape
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.
