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Old 06-18-2020, 04:43 PM
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Boats Boats is offline
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Exclamation Colorado veteran experiencing homelessness given funeral with full military honors

Colorado veteran experiencing homelessness given funeral with full military honors
By: Jason Gruenauer - The Denver Channel News - 06-18-20
Re: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...ilitary-honors

DENVER — When a local funeral home discovered that a homeless man who had passed away recently was also a veteran of the Marine Corps, it stepped up to provide him with a funeral with full military honors.

The Romero Funeral Home is one of several area funeral homes that are a part of a “rotation” with the Denver County Coroner to provide cremation services for those who are homeless, abandoned, or don’t have any family.

In the recent case of a homeless man who had passed away, whose family didn’t want anything to do with him, Acuna decided to cross-reference his name and information with national cemetery databases.

“It took a few weeks but I finally heard back that he was a veteran,” he said.

Raymond Roy was actually Corporal Raymond Charles Roy of the United States Marine Corps.

“[He served] 1955 through '57 during Korea, the Korean conflict, and so now instead of a cremation, we are able to have full honors for him,” said Paul Acuna of the funeral home, who is also an Air Force veteran.

“No matter what has gone on with his life, he deserves to be honored,” Acuna said

The funeral home donated a casket, and invited area veterans out for a memorial service for complete stranger. Though no family attended, and the funeral home didn’t even have a photo of the veteran to share, a handful of vets and riders with the Patriot Guard showed up to pay their respects.

“This is what has to be done for this gentleman. Today, we are his family,” Acuna said. “And today, he’s not alone.”

The body of the Marine was then taken to Fort Logan National Cemetery as part of a procession.

“I don’t care if they’re homeless or have a family of 5,000. They deserve this honor,” one honor guard member said.

More veterans, including active duty U.S. Marines, joined in giving Corporal Roy his full military honors, including a gun salute, the ringing of the honor bell, and the playing of Taps.

“When the call of our country was heard, Raymond answered,” the chaplain said.

“Only he knows his story. But today, his story is brotherhood,” Acuna said.

As an American flag was folded on top of the casket, and veterans gave one final salute, the man without a family or a home seemingly found both.

“He’s here amongst his comrades,” Acuna said. “He’s home.”

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Personal note: Sad isn't it so many vets homeless and living on the streets. I see a few occasionally with signs and always give them money. This is one hell of way to live isn't it!
The wars sorta takes something out of soldiers. They relive their days in hell and just can't fit back into society - when they should've been given help. God Bless them all and its with regret that our Country didn't come to their aide early on. Rest In Peace Brother we will all meet in another time.

Boats
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Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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