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.
This Texan led armed ‘community defense’ for leftists. Now he’s serving 100 years behind bars
Tyler Robinson’s and Lance Twiggs’ DNA both allegedly found on key evidence in Charlie Kirk’s assassination
US Navy identifies sailor lost in Arabian Sea after helicopter’s emergency water landing
Noncitizen accused of falsely claiming US citizenship before casting federal ballots
Abbott orders probe after Texas hospital advertises ‘birth packages’ in Mexico: ‘Citizenship is not for sale’
Scott Jennings Gives Firsthand Update on Mitch McConnell Mystery
‘Trans’ House Democrat Says Trump’s 2024 ‘They/Them’ Ad Only Worked Because Dems Refused to Counter Message
New explosive allegation rocks Platner campaign still reeling from rape accusation
Dem with White House ambitions ripped after backing two scandal-plagued candidates: ‘Troubling’
DHS buys two California migrant detention centers for $1.5B to boost ICE deportation capacity
Tragic TDS: Dem Lawmaker from One of Poorest Districts in US Says Avoid Trump Accounts That Could Give Poor Kids $250k by Age 18
Watch: UK ‘Enforcement Officers’ See Alleged Immigrant Kick Brit Off His Bicycle, Then Assist Attacker’s Escape
BREAKING: Suspected Illegal Dead After Trying to Run Over ICE Agent Who Has Excellent Aim
China Sparks International Concern with ‘Provocative’ ICBM Launch
Trump administration plans new ICE holding facility near Louisiana deportation flight hub
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.
This Texan led armed ‘community defense’ for leftists. Now he’s serving 100 years behind bars
Tyler Robinson’s and Lance Twiggs’ DNA both allegedly found on key evidence in Charlie Kirk’s assassination
US Navy identifies sailor lost in Arabian Sea after helicopter’s emergency water landing
Noncitizen accused of falsely claiming US citizenship before casting federal ballots
Abbott orders probe after Texas hospital advertises ‘birth packages’ in Mexico: ‘Citizenship is not for sale’
Scott Jennings Gives Firsthand Update on Mitch McConnell Mystery
‘Trans’ House Democrat Says Trump’s 2024 ‘They/Them’ Ad Only Worked Because Dems Refused to Counter Message
New explosive allegation rocks Platner campaign still reeling from rape accusation
Dem with White House ambitions ripped after backing two scandal-plagued candidates: ‘Troubling’
DHS buys two California migrant detention centers for $1.5B to boost ICE deportation capacity
Tragic TDS: Dem Lawmaker from One of Poorest Districts in US Says Avoid Trump Accounts That Could Give Poor Kids $250k by Age 18
Watch: UK ‘Enforcement Officers’ See Alleged Immigrant Kick Brit Off His Bicycle, Then Assist Attacker’s Escape
BREAKING: Suspected Illegal Dead After Trying to Run Over ICE Agent Who Has Excellent Aim
China Sparks International Concern with ‘Provocative’ ICBM Launch
Trump administration plans new ICE holding facility near Louisiana deportation flight hub
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.
