When 97-year-old Bob Graham died April 12, he had outlived his wife, Rosie, and every other relative.
But 27-year-old Beth Regan, who made fast friends with Graham as a volunteer at Fieldhome nursing home in New York State, wanted to ensure the World War II Marine veteran got the send-off he deserved, the Rockland/Westchester Journal News reports.
She put the word out on social media, and Friday's ceremony was, indeed, attended by hundreds, from Marines in dress uniforms to members of the Westchester Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes and Drums band.
New York City Police Department officers served as pallbearers.
"His story touched so many people who felt compelled to go above and beyond to put their own special touch on the celebration of an American legend," Regan told the paper, adding that "for so many of his living years, we didn't have the chance for the country to say thank you or show him how much we appreciated what he did for us and for future generations."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.