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.
Text Messages Between Cornell Jane Doe and Alleged Attacker Turn Case on Its Head
Biden DOJ officials warned their school board investigation resembled ‘Anti-MAGA Task Force’
Muslim Flydubai Hijack Suspect Cited Quran, Repeatedly Called for Women to Be Abused, Slapped, Bashed in Head
Biden-era FBI tracked Trump family travel and Wiles’ calls with lawyers in secret probe: docs
Epstein survivor family claims GOP lawmaker’s staff ignored meeting request
El Sayed denies that Schumer PAC money will influence him in Washington
Supreme Court begins new term with high-profile look at clean air and federal authority
Christa Pike’s Attorney Calls for Death Penalty to Be ‘Taken Off the Table’ After Botched Execution Attempt
Furious Trump Partially Doxxes AR Sen. Tom Cotton, Sharing His Reported Cell Number to the Entire World
Emerging tech has new Army leaders warning troops can’t ‘AI’ their way to victory on the battlefield
‘American Idol’ alum Caleb Flynn weeps as daughters ask him why he killed their mother, vow not to visit him
Biden’s ‘anti-MAGA task force’ sparked internal alarm across DOJ, new report shows
El-Sayed Insider Comes Forward With Massive Amount of Dirt, from Insane Lies to Schoolboy Fascination With Gas
Florida student killed in rollover school bus crash
Yemeni government says it recaptured Bab el Mandeb Strait
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.
Text Messages Between Cornell Jane Doe and Alleged Attacker Turn Case on Its Head
Biden DOJ officials warned their school board investigation resembled ‘Anti-MAGA Task Force’
Muslim Flydubai Hijack Suspect Cited Quran, Repeatedly Called for Women to Be Abused, Slapped, Bashed in Head
Biden-era FBI tracked Trump family travel and Wiles’ calls with lawyers in secret probe: docs
Epstein survivor family claims GOP lawmaker’s staff ignored meeting request
El Sayed denies that Schumer PAC money will influence him in Washington
Supreme Court begins new term with high-profile look at clean air and federal authority
Christa Pike’s Attorney Calls for Death Penalty to Be ‘Taken Off the Table’ After Botched Execution Attempt
Furious Trump Partially Doxxes AR Sen. Tom Cotton, Sharing His Reported Cell Number to the Entire World
Emerging tech has new Army leaders warning troops can’t ‘AI’ their way to victory on the battlefield
‘American Idol’ alum Caleb Flynn weeps as daughters ask him why he killed their mother, vow not to visit him
Biden’s ‘anti-MAGA task force’ sparked internal alarm across DOJ, new report shows
El-Sayed Insider Comes Forward With Massive Amount of Dirt, from Insane Lies to Schoolboy Fascination With Gas
Florida student killed in rollover school bus crash
Yemeni government says it recaptured Bab el Mandeb Strait
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.
