Marine veteran unknown to all is honored by all at Abilene cemetery ceremony
Marine Herbert Alfred Lane came home Wednesday.
Again.
Not that Abilene was his home - he was born in Pendleton, Oregon, those in attendance learned - but it's where he now is buried and where dozens gathered under a hot sun over Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene to honor Lane's service to his country for 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Lane died May 11 in Odessa at 73. Because no family members could be located, an "unaccompanied veteran burial" was held at the Abilene cemetery, one of four operated by the state and its northernmost.
Terry Lopez, who is a Veterans of Foreign Wars chaplain based at Post 6873 in Abilene, said Lane once was welcomed home from Vietnam. He was again Wednesday.
"He is finished in his race," she said.
Gunnery Sgt. Josue Molina, the Marine recruiter in Abilene, was one of two men who folded the U.S. flag that draped Lane's casket placed at the cemetery pavilion by six Patriot Guard members.
"It's definitely brotherhood," Molina said about honoring someone who had served in any branch of the military. "But to me, he's our brother."
The Marine Corps, Molina said, creates a unique bond beginning with its 13-week boot camp that is unmatched.
Assisting him was Denny Sivells, the ride captain for the Guard who served in both the Army and Air Force.
The hearse carrying Lane was led to the pavilion by 23 motorcycle riders.
Placed on each side of the entry lawn were eight flags - eight U.S. flags on the left and seven on the right, with a Marine Corps flag at the corner.
The morning stillness only now and then was broken by a slight breeze that rippled the flags.
Patriot Guard members and others stood at attention as Lane's casket was carried under the cover of the pavilion.
It already was 90 degrees at 11 a.m. but the attention was on a man who was considered a member of "our extended family," Lopez said.
"This is a special moment for us veterans," she said, noting participation by Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Patriot Guard, as well as auxiliary members. "We came to give our brother a good sendoff today, and be joyful in his life."
Attending was Elaine Herweck, with her 6-year-old great-granddaughter Paisley. She said she and her husband, Mel, who stood saluting across from her, were among the first in the Patriot Guard.
Herweck said she stood for Lane, but also for the four boys from Tonkawa, in northeast Oklahoma, who died in Vietnam. And for Mel's uncle, who died in combat in Italy during World War II.
"I stand for all of them to show respect to these heroes," she said.
Bob Romanelli, chaplain for VFW Post 5683 in Merkel, read two passages from the Bible, with Lopez adding Scripture. She led recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
After the flag carefully was folded, it was presented by Molina to Gene Wilson, a retired Marine and member of the Patriot Guard. It will be kept for 60 days at the cemetery for a family member to claim.
As per tradition, the flag was given by Molina, taking a knee, "on behalf of a grateful nation."
Holding the flag, Wilson closed his eyes, his face full of emotion.
About then, a refreshing gust of wind blew through pavilion.
Greg Jaklewicz is editor of the Abilene Reporter-News and general columnist. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Marine veteran unknown to all is honored by all at Abilene cemetery
