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.
President says Chicagoans are ‘chanting bring in Trump’ after violent downtown riot leaves 8 shot, 1 dead
JFK’s granddaughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, reveals terminal cancer diagnosis in heartbreaking essay
Op-Ed: The Aftermath of No Kings and the Warning it Sends to Us All
Fact Check: Has the Coast Guard OK’d Swastikas, Other Hate Symbols Under Hegseth Changes?
Explosion rocks senior living apartment building in Ohio, multiple people injured
Trump Terminates Immigrant TPS Status in Minnesota to Destroy ‘Hub of… Money Laundering’ Under Governor Walz
‘Marjorie Traitor Brown’: Trump Responds to MTG’s Resignation
Israel launches attack in Gaza that Hamas says could mean ‘collapse’ of ceasefire
Chicago train fire attack shows why ‘decarceration’ policies are putting lives at risk: expert
Minneapolis police chief issues apology for linking Somali youth to local crime
Trans Activist Named Cassidy Mal Lyss (“Malice”) Arrested on 2nd Arson Charge – Previously Asked if He Could Begin Burning Churches
Reporter’s Notebook : A ‘Letter’ To Zelesnkyy Re The Peace Plan
FBI Gives Its Final Verdict on Trump Shooter Thomas Crooks
California gubernatorial hopeful Eric Swalwell embraces role as Trump’s loudest critic amid new DOJ probe
Sen. Slotkin’s home targeted with bomb threat days after she told troops to defy ‘illegal’ orders
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.
President says Chicagoans are ‘chanting bring in Trump’ after violent downtown riot leaves 8 shot, 1 dead
JFK’s granddaughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, reveals terminal cancer diagnosis in heartbreaking essay
Op-Ed: The Aftermath of No Kings and the Warning it Sends to Us All
Fact Check: Has the Coast Guard OK’d Swastikas, Other Hate Symbols Under Hegseth Changes?
Explosion rocks senior living apartment building in Ohio, multiple people injured
Trump Terminates Immigrant TPS Status in Minnesota to Destroy ‘Hub of… Money Laundering’ Under Governor Walz
‘Marjorie Traitor Brown’: Trump Responds to MTG’s Resignation
Israel launches attack in Gaza that Hamas says could mean ‘collapse’ of ceasefire
Chicago train fire attack shows why ‘decarceration’ policies are putting lives at risk: expert
Minneapolis police chief issues apology for linking Somali youth to local crime
Trans Activist Named Cassidy Mal Lyss (“Malice”) Arrested on 2nd Arson Charge – Previously Asked if He Could Begin Burning Churches
Reporter’s Notebook : A ‘Letter’ To Zelesnkyy Re The Peace Plan
FBI Gives Its Final Verdict on Trump Shooter Thomas Crooks
California gubernatorial hopeful Eric Swalwell embraces role as Trump’s loudest critic amid new DOJ probe
Sen. Slotkin’s home targeted with bomb threat days after she told troops to defy ‘illegal’ orders
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.
