A World War II veteran had no one left to bury him. Then 1,500 strangers showed up.
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- John Bernard Arnold III, a Navy World War II veteran who grew up in foster care and lost his mother young, passed away on May 6 with no immediate family to bury him.
- Terrance O'Keefe of Hanover-Hanson Veteran Services organized a community effort to give Arnold a proper funeral, which drew over a hundred attendees, including many veterans and local residents.
- Arnold had planned his funeral over a decade ago, requesting a Catholic Mass without a eulogy, emphasizing his faith and service; the ceremony included heartfelt tributes and veterans saluting his casket.
- The service featured personal touches reflecting Arnold’s personality, such as mentions of his love for classical music, chocolate cake, and "Grey’s Anatomy," which helped attendees connect with him.
- After the funeral, Arnold’s great-nephew Joe Durban learned of the story, traveled to Massachusetts, and received Arnold’s flag, providing a family connection that had been missing until then.