2,000 attend Funeral of Florida Veteran Who Died Alone

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.

‘No better group’: Veteran says special ops should get same concealed carry permit as retired cops

Ex-New Jersey mayor, her husband charged for using fake ballot signatures after she pleaded guilty to DUI

Kansas Democratic governor nominee suggested Jesus could have been transgender

Heroic Florida K-9 returns to sheriff’s office days after being shot protecting 3 deputies, losing leg

STATE OF PLAY: Highly watched Hong race remains too close to call as progressives notch key primary wins

Five teen friends killed after vehicle plunges down Colorado cliff, leaving community shattered

Ilhan Omar on track for fifth term as Minnesota voters maintain far-left streak

Schumer dealt another blow as progressive insurgency scores win in key Senate battle

Trump-backed Mike Lindell falls to Lisa Demuth in Minnesota governor primary

Minnesota House speaker Lisa Demuth wins GOP gubernatorial primary to replace Tim Walz in November

4-year-old dies after suffering electrical shock from clothes dryer inside Kansas home

Trump’s ‘firewall’ against socialism in battleground state punches ticket to election

Pure Evil: 3 Charged in Water, Burning Torture and Murder of Boy, 7 – Multiple Suspects Are Trans

Watch: Rules Confusion Leads to 16-Minute Delay in MLB Game as Red Sox Accidentally Score a Run

Fauci’s Pardon Neutralized? Florida Issues Subpoena, Begins Investigation Into Self-Dealing, Which Fauci’s Pardon Does Not Cover

They came from around the state and beyond to remember the Army veteran from Naples.

Edward Pearson served in the U.S Army from 1962 to 1964. He was honorably discharged.

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.