washington crossing national cemetery

Washington Crossing National Cemetery - On the last Thursday of every month, Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County hosts military funerals for veterans whose remains were never claimed by family and often left on the coroner's shelf.

This service for the "unguarded" began nearly a decade ago and includes the usual bugle, color guard and three rifle volleys.

Washington Crossing National Cemetery

Fast touches on the funeral ceremony for 14 veterans who died unattended. Interment was at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pa. (Emma Lee/)

Williamson Masons Lend Skills To Washington Crossing National Cemetery

Thursday's ceremony honoring 14 veterans brought together people from across the region to ensure those who served are not forgotten. From motorcycle groups Warriors' Watch and the Patriot Guard to members of the Disabled American Veterans to a local congressman, about 100 people helped mark their service despite never having met the deceased.

Members of the Warriors' Watch Riders carry American flags during a funeral ceremony for fourteen unclaimed veterans. (Emma Lee/)

Carol Shelby Ford is a Langhorne-era Vietnam vet who rides her motorcycle every month, whether the dead are from the region or elsewhere. She and other riders put together a procession for veterans who served from World War II to the Gulf conflict.

"They didn't just say I'm only going to fight in Vietnam for Chester County," she said. "They fought for everyone."

Finally At Rest': Unclaimed Veterans Buried With Help From A Former Pa. Coroner's Office Intern And Reporters

An Army National Guard soldier stands behind the cremated remains of 14 fallen veterans whose remains were not collected. (Emma Lee/)

Like Ford, many attendees said they come to bury vets out of a sense of duty, a small token of gratitude for people who gave so much to their country and, in many cases, died alone.

"It could have been any of my relatives that could have died, and I wanted someone to be there for them like they were here to serve our country," explained Carol Rathbeger of Chester County, who left with her husband. from work. bring in the bodies.

Veterans hold flags during the funeral of 14 veterans who died unattended. Interment was at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pa. (Emma Lee/)

See The Final Salute For World War Ii Veteran Nelson Henry Jr

Rathbeger is part of the 6B Network motorcycle group. The group learned of the incident through the Chester County Coroner's Office. The issue of undelivered remains

Justine Newman, a former Chester County Coroner's Office intern, identified nine of the bodies buried Thursday and coordinated with the 6B Network and other groups to generate local interest in the ceremony.

This is the second time she has helped identify and bury veterans whose military service would otherwise go unrecognized.

Justine Newman, a former Chester County Coroner's Office intern who helped identify veterans among the office's unclaimed remains, is presented with a memorial during the service for 14 veterans who died unattended. (Emma Lee/)

Washington Crossing National Cemetery

In the Bucks County Courier Times' ongoing Unclaimed series, investigative reporters have found that unclaimed remains are on the rise in our region and increasingly in the hands of county coroners.

"We found between Bucks County in Montgomery County and Burlington County, New Jersey, we probably found close to 300 people," said Jo Ciavaglia, one of the project's journalists.

Ciavaglia and her partner, James McGinnis, also attended Thursday's funeral to lay the remains of four Bucks County residents whose work helped identify them as veterans.

Jo Ciavaglia, an investigative reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times, attends the funerals of 14 veterans she helped identify through her reporting. (Emma Lee/)

Dayton's National Cemetery Honors Fallen Veterans This Memorial Day

One of the men buried was Leo Murphy, a veteran Ciavaglia had known from his days at homeless camps in Bristol Township.

"Leo talked to me about being a war veteran because my family was veterans," she said. "So I knew at least one veteran and I'm really, really happy that Leo will finally be at peace."

The remains of Leo D. Murphy (center), the first veteran identified by investigative reporter Jo Ciavaglia, along with those of 13 other veterans, are placed in niches at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (Emma Lee/)

However, proving military service is often more tedious. Names were misspelled or misspelled on the records, and McGinnis said it's harder to run names through the Social Security Administration's post-2013 index.

Avenue Of Flags Display At National Cemetery In Pembroke Seeks Donations

Still, it's work that other coroners' offices have said they're willing to take on, and Newman, Ciavaglia and McGinnis have vowed to continue.

Is your source for factual, in-depth journalism and information. As a non-profit organization, we depend on the financial support of readers like you. Please give today.

In 2023 MLK Day offers services, events and volunteer opportunities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

For the first time in 43 years, the Pearl S. Buck Foundation is asking the public to nominate influential women, one of whom will receive an annual award.

Wreaths For Veterans At Washington Crossing

Despite the conditions in the apartment, most of the cats are friendly and in good condition, which will make it easier for the SPCA to prepare them for adoption.