Vietnam Veteran Buried in Mass "Pauper's Grave"

Sacramento County coroner admits to burial mistake involving veteran
Officials won't disclose others buried in 'mass graves'
KCRA News
By Kevin Oliver
Feb 10, 2015

Despite state law forbidding veterans from being buried in so-called "pauper's graves," a woman discovered her father's remains were mistakenly buried by the county in the communal spot.

Edward Nellis divorced his wife and lived for decades on the streets.

Hernandez believes her father suffered post-traumatic stress disorder from the Vietnam War.

An Air Force navigator with an MBA, he died alone and penniless.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —A Sacramento woman is suing the county after discovering her father wasn't buried in the veterans cemetery where county officials said he was laid to rest.

The county coroner orders the cremation and burial of about 250 people every year -- people who don't have the money or family members to pay for it.

The plots are simply marked by the years in the back of Camellia Memorial Lawn.

Despite state law forbidding veterans from being buried in so-called "pauper's graves," a woman discovered her father's remains were mistakenly buried by the county in the communal spot.

Michele Hernandez visited the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery for the first time this February.

Her father's name is etched in a bright white wall alongside hundreds of other veterans. It took eight years for his remains to get to the national cemetery.

"I love you and I miss you, dad," Hernandez said as a friend comforted her. "I'm sorry this was handled so badly. You didn't deserve it."
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