Community honors burial of 13 unaccompanied veterans at NWLA Veterans Cemetery

KEITHVILLE, La. (KSLA) - Hundreds of people came out to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery to honor the burial of 13 unaccompanied veterans on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The community was invited to pay respects to the veterans that had no known living relatives. The veterans represent every branch of the military except for the Coast Guard.

Savannah Stewart attended the burial honors with her three children. She said the burial was near and dear to her heart because she has family that served in the U.S. Military.

“I come from a family with a military background and it’s just important for me to teach my children and raise them up to honor and respect this country. There’s so many men and women that have fought and died for us. It’s important for them [the children] to understand that and pay their respects,” Stewart said.

The families of those veterans were not found, but their military family and the community showed up in their place.

“We stood with brothers on the line when it didn’t matter and we had a model that we would never leave them behind and be with them until the end. Whether we’re serving active or we’re retired. That model and that plea still stands,” veteran Don Wilson, said.

It’s a plea that stands whether rain or shine.

“You just have to honor those who serve. To die and not have any family representing, that’s our responsibility to honor these guys,” veteran Michael McTiernan said.

“There were families that didn’t get to have this proper funeral and it’s just important for them to stand here and understand the sacrifice they made,” Stewart said.

A proper lesson, at a proper time to honor those who served our country.

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