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.
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
Texas Sues Netflix for Allegedly ‘Spying’ on Residents, Including Children
Warsh confirmed as next Fed chairman and will face renewed inflation threat
Age of first-time mothers hits record high in blue states as birth rates keep falling
WATCH: Dem’s Plan to Tar Patel as Alcoholic Backfires When Patel Reminds Crowd of Dem’s Own Alcohol Disgrace … and Brings Receipts
Report: After Sex Scandal Was Exposed, Swalwell Attempted to ‘Intimidate’ Women He Shared Messages with
Billionaire Dem donor who turned on party after allegations against Swalwell is arrested
Twin Cities’ wage hikes roasted after report exposes job-crushing fallout in Tim Walz’s backyard
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Alex Murdaugh double murder conviction overturned
Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction unanimously overturned by South Carolina Supreme Court
Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll Gets Horrible News About $83 Million Verdict Against Trump
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.
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
Texas Sues Netflix for Allegedly ‘Spying’ on Residents, Including Children
Warsh confirmed as next Fed chairman and will face renewed inflation threat
Age of first-time mothers hits record high in blue states as birth rates keep falling
WATCH: Dem’s Plan to Tar Patel as Alcoholic Backfires When Patel Reminds Crowd of Dem’s Own Alcohol Disgrace … and Brings Receipts
Report: After Sex Scandal Was Exposed, Swalwell Attempted to ‘Intimidate’ Women He Shared Messages with
Billionaire Dem donor who turned on party after allegations against Swalwell is arrested
Twin Cities’ wage hikes roasted after report exposes job-crushing fallout in Tim Walz’s backyard
Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Alex Murdaugh double murder conviction overturned
Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction unanimously overturned by South Carolina Supreme Court
Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll Gets Horrible News About $83 Million Verdict Against Trump
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.
