The Lubbock Police Department and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office dedicated time Thursday morning to escort ashes of fallen soldiers. The ashes made their way from Amarillo, stopped in Lubbock and are expected to arrive Friday in San Antonio.
Around 1,500 Patriot Guard Bikers took to the streets in a parade guiding eight fellow veterans’ ashes to rest in peace.
“They are homeless and indigent folks that nobody is there to claim them,” said Joel Carver with Missing in America Project. Carver found these remains.
“We’ve taken the opportunity to do a little research and found out they were honorable veterans, so instead of being alone, we are taking them down to honor them at the cemetery,” said Carver.
He decided they needed a proper burial at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
“It’s what we need to do,” said Brenda Rowel, a Patriot Guard Rider, “Since they don’t have family, we step in and we are their family.”
“They’re never without family. Each of us have taken a pledge that we shall leave no one behind,” said Ysidro Gutierrez, an Army veteran.
Gutierrez served in the Army for 20 years. He said the allegiance won’t stop until all missing soldiers are accounted for and returned to their families or the United States.
“I do have a sense of joy. I do have a sense of sadness because of what they had to endure, what they suffered,” said Gutierrez.
Before the escort, these remains of servicemen were unclaimed for several years. They were kept on shelves in funeral homes and other places around the country. One of them had been there for 15 years.
“They served in World War II. Vietnam, Korea and Vietnam and was a purple heart recipient,” said Carver.
He said it was time to give them the funeral they deserve.
“While we’re sleeping, we live free in this country because of them, so it’s important to remember who we’re taking down this week,” said Carver.