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.
Arkansas cop tragically dies saving fiancée’s life just hours after proposing
Border K9 sniffs out 99 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and monitor lizard in suitcase from Thailand
Bear caught on camera perched atop New Mexico utility pole before reportedly suffering fatal electrocution
Teachers who once dated and share child arrested after classroom argument spiraled into violence: police
Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution
Trump salutes ‘great heroes’ as he attends dignified transfer of US service members killed in Jordan, Iraq
Survivor of Hamas terror attack in Israel slams Mamdani over ‘dangerous’ video about Netanyahu
Far-left ‘Squad’ Dems mix up Jewish colleagues in botched attack — then get burned by their own votes
Ethiopian Immigrant Arrested After Execution of 3 Rental Workers – Felt He Was Being Discriminated Against
Judge questions whether Hegseth’s testosterone plan undermines transgender troops ban
Newsom turns to Hunter Biden’s high-powered ex-lawyer as federal scrutiny closes in on his family, allies
Fox News Star Crushes Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Other Contenders in South Carolina Senate Poll
Trump gives emotional tribute to fallen Army Lt Tyler Feehan after flying grieving family on Air Force One
Musk Pledges $100 Million to ‘Historically Accurate’ Version of ‘The Odyssey’ with Mel Gibson as Director
Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent
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.
Arkansas cop tragically dies saving fiancée’s life just hours after proposing
Border K9 sniffs out 99 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and monitor lizard in suitcase from Thailand
Bear caught on camera perched atop New Mexico utility pole before reportedly suffering fatal electrocution
Teachers who once dated and share child arrested after classroom argument spiraled into violence: police
Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution
Trump salutes ‘great heroes’ as he attends dignified transfer of US service members killed in Jordan, Iraq
Survivor of Hamas terror attack in Israel slams Mamdani over ‘dangerous’ video about Netanyahu
Far-left ‘Squad’ Dems mix up Jewish colleagues in botched attack — then get burned by their own votes
Ethiopian Immigrant Arrested After Execution of 3 Rental Workers – Felt He Was Being Discriminated Against
Judge questions whether Hegseth’s testosterone plan undermines transgender troops ban
Newsom turns to Hunter Biden’s high-powered ex-lawyer as federal scrutiny closes in on his family, allies
Fox News Star Crushes Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Other Contenders in South Carolina Senate Poll
Trump gives emotional tribute to fallen Army Lt Tyler Feehan after flying grieving family on Air Force One
Musk Pledges $100 Million to ‘Historically Accurate’ Version of ‘The Odyssey’ with Mel Gibson as Director
Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent
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.
