Seven unclaimed veterans laid to rest at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (WNKY) – Seven veterans who had gone unclaimed for years were honored and laid to rest Wednesday at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.

The Missing in America Veterans Recovery Program held a ceremony at the cemetery in Hopkinsville, bringing the veterans home with full military honors.

The seven veterans had waited a combined 58 years to be claimed, according to Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Whitney Allen. Three served during the Vietnam era, one during the Korean War time frame and three during the Cold War.

“This is a joyous occasion because our brothers and sisters are now united with their other brothers and sisters here, at West, across the Commonwealth, as well as across the country,” Allen said. “And their legacy will always, always be remembered.”

Brandon Borman, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, said the veterans had waited years for the ceremony.

“They’ve been waiting. But today their wait is over. Today their names are spoken. Today their service is remembered,” Borman said.

Borman said the absence of family members at the ceremony did not mean the veterans were being laid to rest alone.

“They may come to us today without a family standing beside them, but they are not laid to rest alone,” he said.

Allen called the ceremony a homecoming for the veterans.

“Welcome home. And thank you for your service. You’re home with family,” Allen said. “You got your legacy. And we will always be honored.”

The veterans were:

• U.S. Army First Lieutenant Jerry L. Puckett, 69, a Vietnam-era veteran who waited 9 years, 2 months and 25 days.
• U.S. Army Specialist Third Class Martin E. Tullis, 88, who waited 5 years, 4 months and 13 days.
• U.S. Marine Lance Corporal John W. Henning, 67, a Vietnam veteran who waited 4 years, 4 months and 26 days.
• U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant John A. Mack, 67, a Vietnam veteran who waited 9 years, 10 months and 5 days.
• U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Franklin D. Thurman, 84, a Korean War-era veteran who waited 5 years, 9 months and 18 days.
• U.S. Air Force Airman Basic Lester W. Brewer, 62, who waited 7 years, 6 months and 5 days.
• U.S. Air Force Airman Basic Jimmie R. Shelton, 69, who waited 16 years, 6 months and 29 days.

Silas Session, executive director of the Office of Kentucky Veterans Services, said the ceremony was both somber and meaningful.

“It is somber. It’s bittersweet,” Session said. “So it’s a lot of reflection, introspection, but also honor to them. And we just thankful for what they’ve done.”

Session said the ceremony also demonstrated the community’s commitment to honoring veterans.

“And it’s a beautiful picture of the community coming out to do this,” he said.

Borman said the veterans were ultimately receiving the honor they had earned through their service.

“Today they will be laid to rest with the dignity and honor that they not only deserve, but they have earned through their faithful service,” Borman said.

The ceremony included military honors, a final salute and an escort to the veterans’ final resting places.