Vietnam Veteran Laid to Rest by Community

Community becomes family for fallen Vietnam veteran
CBS 7 News
By Amanda DeBerry
Posted: Jan 10, 2017

ODESSA -- Tuesday was a day to honor Vietnam veteran, Charles Ray Sorrell who passed away early last week in Odessa, but there was not one picture or family member to be found.

“When you’re taking your last breath someone needs to be there,” Hospice Nurse Rhonda Thompson said. “Somebody needs to care that you exist and that your life matters.”

An emotional day at the Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home as strangers from all walks of life came together to say farewell to Sorrell.

The veteran served his country for nine years where he made the ultimate sacrifice, but recently he spent many days in hospice fighting for his own life.

“In hospice you find out that a lot of people are alone,” Thompson said. “They’ve outlived their families and their money.”
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