PORTLAND, Ore — Nearly 400 people turned out to honor two veterans Tuesday at Willamette National Cemetery. Both veterans passed away without any family, so the community stepped up instead.
The funeral was so packed, it caught organizers off guard. There was a huge traffic backup to get to it and the reception was only planned for about 50 people, but many more showed up to give these veterans the burial they deserved.
Marine Corps Veteran Douglas Ray Walls and Navy Veteran Danny Joe Mendenhall both passed away without any family. They are considered unclaimed veterans. However, as the speaker said at Tuesday’s service, unclaimed does not mean unloved.
Hundreds of people showed up at their funeral to make sure their sacrifice for this country was honored.
“Otherwise we wouldn't have the freedom to do this at all,” said 10-year-old Cyrus Faussete who is a member of the Young Marines.
A lot of people found out about the service because of posts on Reddit and Facebook. The turnout was more than anyone excepted.
“It was very moving,” said Karen Thyden who attended. “I saw this posted on Facebook and had no idea what to expect, how many people would show up, and this was just overwhelmingly fantastic.”
Thyden’s father served in the military, so attending the service was especially important to her.
With no family to accept the burial flags, two community members stood in their place. Faussete accepted the burial flag for Walls.
“It was fun, it was nice to be able to do this,” Faussete said.
Gold Star mother Patricia Lucas accepted the flag for Mendenhall.
“I am blessed,” Lucas said. “I am so grateful for all of the service. I'm grateful for, that there are times when we can really appreciate them and their sacrifices."
Lucas’ son Jeffrey Lucas was a Navy Seal. He died in 2005 when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
“The things that you give up to be in the service, I don't think people really realize all the time how much it costs until this is the ultimate cost, so I'm just grateful, and I am so happy to be here today,” Lucas said.
Lucas said it was heartwarming to see how many people acknowledged that sacrifice today by showing up for two veterans they did not even know.
Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home and Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program took care of the costs of the funeral. They believe all veterans deserve to have a dignified service regardless of their circumstances.