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.
Trump Responds After Two of His Top Advisers’ Foreign Work Sparks Backlash, Threatens Termination ‘If There’s a Conflict’
The Warning Signs Were There: Jelly Roll’s Comments About Zach Bryan Now Make All the Sense in the World
House Republican warns CBDC ‘communist money’ could lead US to ‘dystopian’ future
Lawsuit accuses Dearborn, Michigan, of being ‘hostile to Christians and Jews’ with Islamic displays
Wes Moore’s 2028 dodge complicates reelection pitch in Maryland
Former corrections officer accused of killing wife, forcing kids to help
Anti-Israel protesters label Mamdani a ‘traitor,’ accuse him of ‘genocide’ outside Oct 7 vigil
Texas executes Jamaal Howard despite concerns over lethal injection drug used in failed Tennessee execution
Trump to award Medal of Freedom to former pitcher Roger Clemens
SCOTUS Bought Congress Time on Deportations: Now Is the Time to Spend It
NFL All-Pro Draws Big Response by Posting a Video from Inside Trump’s Car
Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico’s 11-day absence at Trump rally, prompting response from campaign
Insurance Executive and His Family Found Dead in Mansion: Murder-Suicide Suspected
Trump heckled multiple times at Texas rally for Ken Paxton, blames ‘paid protesters’
FIRST ON FOX: US Coast Guard recruits largest class in nearly 40 years, beats goals for third straight year
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.
Trump Responds After Two of His Top Advisers’ Foreign Work Sparks Backlash, Threatens Termination ‘If There’s a Conflict’
The Warning Signs Were There: Jelly Roll’s Comments About Zach Bryan Now Make All the Sense in the World
House Republican warns CBDC ‘communist money’ could lead US to ‘dystopian’ future
Lawsuit accuses Dearborn, Michigan, of being ‘hostile to Christians and Jews’ with Islamic displays
Wes Moore’s 2028 dodge complicates reelection pitch in Maryland
Former corrections officer accused of killing wife, forcing kids to help
Anti-Israel protesters label Mamdani a ‘traitor,’ accuse him of ‘genocide’ outside Oct 7 vigil
Texas executes Jamaal Howard despite concerns over lethal injection drug used in failed Tennessee execution
Trump to award Medal of Freedom to former pitcher Roger Clemens
SCOTUS Bought Congress Time on Deportations: Now Is the Time to Spend It
NFL All-Pro Draws Big Response by Posting a Video from Inside Trump’s Car
Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico’s 11-day absence at Trump rally, prompting response from campaign
Insurance Executive and His Family Found Dead in Mansion: Murder-Suicide Suspected
Trump heckled multiple times at Texas rally for Ken Paxton, blames ‘paid protesters’
FIRST ON FOX: US Coast Guard recruits largest class in nearly 40 years, beats goals for third straight year
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.
