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.
Watch: Dem Nominee Troy Jackson Tells Sen. Susan Collins to ‘Shut Up’ as Heckler Causes Debate Chaos
Breaking: Katie Zacharia Out as White House Press Secretary
Black civic group blasts Talarico campaign over canceled event: ‘Deeply disappointed’
Americans back Trump’s decision against livestreaming Nidal Hasan’s firing squad execution
Where to Get American-Made Ivermectin at a Price You Can’t Beat
Fox News Co-Host Accuses Kimberly Guilfoyle of NSFW Behavior, Claims She Was Guided by ‘Unrelenting Narcissism’
Democrats call for gun control after Oregon school shooter reportedly uses shotgun purchased by his mother
Pro-Israel Democrats, once seemingly politically invincible, are on the defensive
Rising Trump administration pressure on Cuba divides Hill Democrats
Trump’s Capitol Hill whisperer reveals secrets to president’s dealmaking as he heads for exit
CBS News Hit With $20 Million Lawsuit for Report on Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Suspected Florida Publix slasher walked free from court months earlier despite victim warnings
‘Brothers’ is an appealing showcase for Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey
Bystander fatally shoots suspected teen gunman in deadly elementary school shooting and more top headlines
School Board Meeting Descends Into Chaos as Furious Father Booted for Reading Filthy Passages from Kids Library Books
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.
Watch: Dem Nominee Troy Jackson Tells Sen. Susan Collins to ‘Shut Up’ as Heckler Causes Debate Chaos
Breaking: Katie Zacharia Out as White House Press Secretary
Black civic group blasts Talarico campaign over canceled event: ‘Deeply disappointed’
Americans back Trump’s decision against livestreaming Nidal Hasan’s firing squad execution
Where to Get American-Made Ivermectin at a Price You Can’t Beat
Fox News Co-Host Accuses Kimberly Guilfoyle of NSFW Behavior, Claims She Was Guided by ‘Unrelenting Narcissism’
Democrats call for gun control after Oregon school shooter reportedly uses shotgun purchased by his mother
Pro-Israel Democrats, once seemingly politically invincible, are on the defensive
Rising Trump administration pressure on Cuba divides Hill Democrats
Trump’s Capitol Hill whisperer reveals secrets to president’s dealmaking as he heads for exit
CBS News Hit With $20 Million Lawsuit for Report on Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Suspected Florida Publix slasher walked free from court months earlier despite victim warnings
‘Brothers’ is an appealing showcase for Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey
Bystander fatally shoots suspected teen gunman in deadly elementary school shooting and more top headlines
School Board Meeting Descends Into Chaos as Furious Father Booted for Reading Filthy Passages from Kids Library Books
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.
