Vietnam Veteran With No Family Laid to Rest By Community

IMAGES: Hundreds turn out to pay last respects to Vietnam vet with no family
WDRB News
By Emily Mieure
Posted: Aug 13, 2015

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Kentucky veteran without a family was laid to rest today with full military honors.

Don Kaas died July 29 at the Veterans Hospital in Lexington. Although he had no known family, hundreds of people showed up from all over the country to pay their respects.

Veterans, active military members and civilians gathered Thursday at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville to give Kaas the burial they say he deserved.

Donald Cool, a Vietnam vet, didn't know Kaas but wanted to pay his respects to a fellow Vietnam veteran.

"I was saddened by the fact that someone could have served our country and not have anyone there at the close of his life to be there to support him," Cool said.

Cool was glad to see so many others there as well.

"I'm really impressed they've cared enough to show up today," Cool said. "It's wonderful. Makes me proud to be an American."

Kathleen Luttrell seemed to feel the same way.

"I thought it was my duty to come show respect for a veteran," she said.
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