Unclaimed Veterans Buried With Honor in Tennessee

Veterans unclaimed at life’s end given peace, dignity, rest
Knoxville News Sentinel
June 19, 2016

"We know so precious little about these veterans, their lives, their hopes, their struggles. How sad it is for us that we know so little of them." Cesar Correa

The service at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on the 72nd anniversary of the Normandy invasion drew about 200. They came to give six people who had served their country a proper and decent burial and to ensure something more — an honorable and lasting remembrance.

The services were part of a national program to give a final and peaceful rest to members of the armed forces who died earlier this year but whose bodies were never claimed. All served at various times during the 20th century.

Servicemen and servicewomen on active duty from each branch of the armed services escorted the remains of their deceased comrades.

The dead are:

Sgt. Deborah Elaine Easler, Air Force; 

Fireman Robert Lowell Burke, Navy; 

Seaman Recruit Michael Lee McRill, Navy; 

Pvt. Calvin Coolidge Cherry Jr., Army; 

Spec. 4 Leonard David Fairchild Jr., Army; 

Pvt. Richard Eugene Traxler, Army.

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