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.
Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive
Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal
Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests
Long Island street takeover erupts as drivers block road, perform donuts, burnouts: police
CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call
Wes Moore: Trump’s response to USS Lincoln crew concerns ‘pisses me off’
Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report
Progressive Minneapolis mayor’s viral hip-hop moves spark ‘humiliation ritual’ mockery online
This Chinese Company Imports Workers And Is Accused Of Polluting Hungary’s Water. It Also Gets Tax Breaks In US.
Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona
Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality
Men Are Not Women: Stand Up for the Truth
The only map you need to see as California’s billionaire tax fight heats up
Lexington, Kentucky park shooting kills 1, injures 4 during live band performance
Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: ‘Bats— crazy’
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.
Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive
Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal
Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests
Long Island street takeover erupts as drivers block road, perform donuts, burnouts: police
CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call
Wes Moore: Trump’s response to USS Lincoln crew concerns ‘pisses me off’
Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings: report
Progressive Minneapolis mayor’s viral hip-hop moves spark ‘humiliation ritual’ mockery online
This Chinese Company Imports Workers And Is Accused Of Polluting Hungary’s Water. It Also Gets Tax Breaks In US.
Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona
Humanoid robots could patrol southern border, CEO pitches, as futuristic technology moves closer to reality
Men Are Not Women: Stand Up for the Truth
The only map you need to see as California’s billionaire tax fight heats up
Lexington, Kentucky park shooting kills 1, injures 4 during live band performance
Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: ‘Bats— crazy’
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.
