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.
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer
Jury reaches verdict in trial of ex-Uvalde school police officer accused of failing to confront gunman
Appeals court hands Trump admin ‘victory’ in Minnesota ICE force restrictions case
Backfire: TDSing European Parliament Member Gets Shut Down in Assembly When His Anti-Trump Fit Goes Way Too Far
Somali-born activist praises Trump’s stark warning at Davos speech: ‘Priority No. 1’
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Found to Be in Contempt of Congress by House Oversight Committee in Bipartisan Vote
Newsom claims Trump administration blocked his Davos speaking engagement
‘An Uphill Battle’ – ‘Ant Man,’ ‘Lost’ Actress Reveals Struggle with Traumatic Brain Injury
Fed’s Cook doubles down on her role after SCOTUS wraps
Mayor Frey shares highly produced video speaking on Latino radio station: ‘You’re brave and you’re tough’
Qatar and Turkey join ‘Board of Peace’ despite Israeli protest, highlighting Trump’s autocratic approach
Breaking: Trump Announces ‘Framework’ of a Greenland Deal Has Been Reached with NATO Chief
600,000 residents flee Ukraine’s capital over destruction of energy infrastructure: Kyiv mayor
Luigi Mangione case: If stalking and assault aren’t ‘crimes of violence,’ death penalty vanishes
Oklahoma man charged with threatening to kill ICE agents, MAGA Republicans online
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.
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer
Jury reaches verdict in trial of ex-Uvalde school police officer accused of failing to confront gunman
Appeals court hands Trump admin ‘victory’ in Minnesota ICE force restrictions case
Backfire: TDSing European Parliament Member Gets Shut Down in Assembly When His Anti-Trump Fit Goes Way Too Far
Somali-born activist praises Trump’s stark warning at Davos speech: ‘Priority No. 1’
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Found to Be in Contempt of Congress by House Oversight Committee in Bipartisan Vote
Newsom claims Trump administration blocked his Davos speaking engagement
‘An Uphill Battle’ – ‘Ant Man,’ ‘Lost’ Actress Reveals Struggle with Traumatic Brain Injury
Fed’s Cook doubles down on her role after SCOTUS wraps
Mayor Frey shares highly produced video speaking on Latino radio station: ‘You’re brave and you’re tough’
Qatar and Turkey join ‘Board of Peace’ despite Israeli protest, highlighting Trump’s autocratic approach
Breaking: Trump Announces ‘Framework’ of a Greenland Deal Has Been Reached with NATO Chief
600,000 residents flee Ukraine’s capital over destruction of energy infrastructure: Kyiv mayor
Luigi Mangione case: If stalking and assault aren’t ‘crimes of violence,’ death penalty vanishes
Oklahoma man charged with threatening to kill ICE agents, MAGA Republicans online
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.
