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.
AG aims to retry Alex Murdaugh ‘quickly’; both sides enter courtroom chess match with each other’s game plans
California death row inmates watching porn on taxpayer-funded tablets, evading security controls: report
It never ends: GOP moves to fund border, Democrats blast Trump spending
Howard Lutnick testified he saw Epstein’s massage table as ‘sexual in nature’ during 2005 visit
Video: Ex-Trans Speaker Postpones TPUSA Speech as Antifa ‘Militia … on Cross-Sex Hormones’ Threatens Violence Cops Weren’t Prepared for
Vance turns up heat on states with federal cash threat over Medicaid fraud crackdown
JD Vance’s Fraud Task Force Makes California Pay $1.3 Billion Price for Defrauding Taxpayers
Poll: Thomas Massie Trailing Trump-Backed Primary Challenger After Leading Big Just Weeks Ago
CIA Furious as Active Agent Testifies on Fauci’s Enormous Role in COVID ‘Cover-Up’
Children’s book author sentenced for husband’s poisoning death as judge calls her ‘too dangerous’
Arrest of gang member convicted of murder puts Dem state’s sanctuary policies on blast
Red-State Governor Cancels Special Redistricting Session for Congressional Seats
DHS says two women killed six years apart in Texas should still be alive after illegal immigrant’s arrest
Lawmakers clash over Trump gas tax holiday as Iran war drives prices higher
DHS lawyer focuses blame on Biden judge after illegal immigrant release controversy
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.
AG aims to retry Alex Murdaugh ‘quickly’; both sides enter courtroom chess match with each other’s game plans
California death row inmates watching porn on taxpayer-funded tablets, evading security controls: report
It never ends: GOP moves to fund border, Democrats blast Trump spending
Howard Lutnick testified he saw Epstein’s massage table as ‘sexual in nature’ during 2005 visit
Video: Ex-Trans Speaker Postpones TPUSA Speech as Antifa ‘Militia … on Cross-Sex Hormones’ Threatens Violence Cops Weren’t Prepared for
Vance turns up heat on states with federal cash threat over Medicaid fraud crackdown
JD Vance’s Fraud Task Force Makes California Pay $1.3 Billion Price for Defrauding Taxpayers
Poll: Thomas Massie Trailing Trump-Backed Primary Challenger After Leading Big Just Weeks Ago
CIA Furious as Active Agent Testifies on Fauci’s Enormous Role in COVID ‘Cover-Up’
Children’s book author sentenced for husband’s poisoning death as judge calls her ‘too dangerous’
Arrest of gang member convicted of murder puts Dem state’s sanctuary policies on blast
Red-State Governor Cancels Special Redistricting Session for Congressional Seats
DHS says two women killed six years apart in Texas should still be alive after illegal immigrant’s arrest
Lawmakers clash over Trump gas tax holiday as Iran war drives prices higher
DHS lawyer focuses blame on Biden judge after illegal immigrant release controversy
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.
