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.
Jordanian Military Goes After Targets in Syria in Response to Terrorists Killing Christians
DHS Shuts Down Major Chinese Birth Tourism Loophole in US Pacific Territory
175 Democrats demand Trump admin stop Ilhan Omar investigation, warn it could hurt her re-election bid
Shouting match erupts at UN as Cuban foreign minister moves toward US ambassador’s podium: ‘Back up!’
Trump administration ‘monitoring’ leftist organizers ignoring new terrorism sanctions: State Department official
90 Percent of Largest United Methodist Church Congregation Votes to Leave Denomination – But It Won’t Be Easy
Hundreds of staged armed robberies helped thousands pose as crime victims in US immigration scam: DOJ
The Thing That Never Happens: DOJ Says Hundreds of Foreigners Voted in Multiple US Elections
House report says NYC prosecutors tailored plea deals to shield illegal immigrants from deportation
Norway and Finland break norms by phoning Putin directly to urge breakthroughs at trilateral talks
Multi-state manhunt underway as murder victim’s close friend fears escaped killer could strike again
FBI raids Beverly Hills mansion as part of Eric Swalwell investigation
WNBA Players Run Off the Court Again Before National Anthem Ahead of Monday Finals Game
Ilhan Omar Tells Hasan Piker She Is Being Targeted Because She’s Good-Looking
Fox News Power Rankings: As Iran looms large, can the GOP keep the faithful?
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.
Jordanian Military Goes After Targets in Syria in Response to Terrorists Killing Christians
DHS Shuts Down Major Chinese Birth Tourism Loophole in US Pacific Territory
175 Democrats demand Trump admin stop Ilhan Omar investigation, warn it could hurt her re-election bid
Shouting match erupts at UN as Cuban foreign minister moves toward US ambassador’s podium: ‘Back up!’
Trump administration ‘monitoring’ leftist organizers ignoring new terrorism sanctions: State Department official
90 Percent of Largest United Methodist Church Congregation Votes to Leave Denomination – But It Won’t Be Easy
Hundreds of staged armed robberies helped thousands pose as crime victims in US immigration scam: DOJ
The Thing That Never Happens: DOJ Says Hundreds of Foreigners Voted in Multiple US Elections
House report says NYC prosecutors tailored plea deals to shield illegal immigrants from deportation
Norway and Finland break norms by phoning Putin directly to urge breakthroughs at trilateral talks
Multi-state manhunt underway as murder victim’s close friend fears escaped killer could strike again
FBI raids Beverly Hills mansion as part of Eric Swalwell investigation
WNBA Players Run Off the Court Again Before National Anthem Ahead of Monday Finals Game
Ilhan Omar Tells Hasan Piker She Is Being Targeted Because She’s Good-Looking
Fox News Power Rankings: As Iran looms large, can the GOP keep the faithful?
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.
