Staten Island folks step up so Vietnam Vet can finally be buried

Deceased veteran, John L. Matyi, headed to Arlington after 15 months of uncertainty (update)
Staten Island Advance
By Timothy Harrison
March 31, 2014

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island must be the most compassionate place on earth.

After the Advance revealed last week that the ashes of a deceased veteran remained in a Florida funeral home for more than a year, the veteran's surviving brother received a slew of messages from Islanders who wanted to help any way they could.

Now, with John L. Matyi's cremation service paid for, Alex Matyi speaks with a whole new sense of hope - you can hear the transformation in his voice.

Alex knows his brother will be buried at Arlington soon, John's sole wish since he returned wounded from active duty.

A childhood friend of the Matyi brothers, who insisted on remaining anonymous after paying the $1,200 fee in full, called Alex Friday.
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