‘Unclaimed’ Navy veteran given full military honors as community refuses to let him be buried alone

Community members and chap veterans gathered Tuesday greeting astatine the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery to laic Lonnie D. Wayman, a U.S. Navy seasoned with nary known family, to remainder with afloat subject honors, FOX 17 Nashville reported.

In a state that promises to grant those who serve, the turnout made wide that "unclaimed" does not mean forgotten.

Wayman had been listed arsenic an "unclaimed" veteran, officials said, aft nary relatives came guardant to assertion his remains. Organizers invited members of the nationalist and veterans groups to be the 9 a.m. burial astatine the Nashvile cemetery truthful helium would not beryllium laid to remainder alone.

A Veterans Affairs (VA) typical told those gathered that the connection "unclaimed" did not acceptable what was unfolding earlier them.

TRAILBLAZING VIETNAM VETERAN MAJOR JAMES CAPERS JR HONORED WITH PATRIOT AWARD AT 88

A Naval serviceman hands a folded emblem to a mourner astatine the ceremonial for an unclaimed Navy veteran, Tuesday, successful Nashville, Tenn. (WXTV)

"When the paperwork for Lonnie Wayman came crossed my desk, it was marked arsenic an unclaimed veteran," the typical said. "But I accidental that's incorrect. I accidental that's a misnomer, that acknowledgment to the enactment from the United States military, the bully folks astatine Gupton Mortuary, and each the enactment I spot present today, we are capable to assertion our honorable veterans and supply them the dignity and grant that they person earned."

Rows of veterans, assemblage members and subject unit stood successful quiescent tribute arsenic prayers were offered and honors rendered successful designation of Wayman’s work successful the Navy.

Video from the work shows attendees filling the sanctuary, with others lasting astatine the backmost and extracurricular the religion arsenic the ceremonial began.

GARY SINISE SAYS VETERANS DAY IS A REMINDER THAT THE MISSION NEVER ENDS FOR THOSE WHO SERVE

Navy officials fold an American emblem implicit the casket of an unclaimed Navy seasoned during a ceremonial successful Nashville, Tenn. (WXTV)

"My friends, our existent location is successful heaven. Christ Jesus gave america the roadworthy map," a clergyman said during the service.

He aboriginal prayed, "Eternal remainder assistance unto him, O Lord, and fto perpetual airy radiance upon him."

The ceremonial concluded with the merchandise of doves adjacent the cemetery’s flagpoles arsenic Wayman was laid to rest. Officials said cemetery unit would request astir 30 to 40 minutes to hole the gravesite for visitors pursuing the service.

In the end, the typical returned to the constituent that had framed the morning.

A Navy authoritative salutes a mourner during the funeral. (WXTV)

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"We are capable to assertion our honorable veterans," helium said, "and supply them the dignity and grant that they person earned."

FOX 17 Nashville's Ashley Griffin contributed to this report.