'Today we are their family': Unclaimed veterans laid to rest at cemetery in Phoenix

A small group of veterans, volunteers and friends gathered Wednesday morning at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix to honor U.S. military veterans whose cremated remains were never claimed.

The U.S. Navy and the American Legion Post 41 conducted military honors for the fallen veterans who were not claimed by family or had no known next of kin. The ceremony was organized by the Missing in America Veteran Recovery Program, a veterans service organization that "locates, identifies, and inters the unclaimed cremated remains of American Veterans through the joint efforts of private, state, and federal organizations."

About 30 people — civilians, veterans and active service members — stood silently to honor the 18 veterans and one spouse while a bugler played taps and then proceeded with the ceremonial flag fold.

Cary Cartter, the chaplain for the Northern American Missing America Project, led the opening and closing prayer. "These veterans were promised, and we're here to carry out that promise," he said.

Cartter explained during the opening prayer that "today we are their family, and today they will be laid to rest with the honors due them."

Attendees like Nadine Arney, who works with several historical organizations that honor active military members and veterans, said, "It is a duty and an honor as an American to be here today."

Lamarr Lashawn Collie was a U.S. Marine Corps corporal and was laid to rest in the cemetery along with 18 others. His friend Eric Smith was in attendance, there to pay his respects. "I'm here to help put away a fallen comrade, a friend I have known for five years, Lamarr Collie. He was there for me every time through thick and thin," Smith said as he shed tears.

Others, like Ron Ripply, were there to pay their respects. "I'm in American Legion, and I'm in our Post Honor Guard. We come out here and do funerals. We've done about 100 this year," he said.

After the service, the MIAP veterans were placed in the columbarium court, where cremated remains rest in the cemetery.

Reach breaking news reporter Ayana Hamilton at ashamilton@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Unclaimed veterans honored at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix