An interment, with Full Military Honors, for the unclaimed remains of three U.S. military veterans will be held Friday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, with a procession embarking at 12:30 p.m. to the Veteran’s Cemetery at 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive near Van Meter.[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
The soldiers to be honored are John Fernandez, Raymond Hines and James Watson. The public is invited to attend the services and pay their respects to these soldiers who did not have anyone to do them these honors at the times they died.
John Joseph Fernandez, 64, passed away April 11, 2006, in Iowa City. He was born May 18, 1941, to John and Lillian (Dugaf) Fernandez in New Orleans, La. He was a cab driver in the Des Moines area. He was a private in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam, where he was a rifleman. Fernandez received the Good Conduct Medal for his service.
Raymond Hines, 81, passed away March 17, 2003, in Des Moines. He was born Sept. 27, 1921, in Newton, Texas, to Lawson and Elena (Morris) Hines. Hines was a shoe shiner at the Des Moines Airport. He proudly served his country overseas during World War II in Europe and the Philippines. Hines received the Victory Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon. Hines held the rank of Tec 5 corporal in the U.S. Army.
James W. Watson, 72, passed away April 20, 2003, in Des Moines. He served overseas in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Watson held the rank of corporal and was awarded the Korean Defense Medal with three service stars.
Hamilton’s Funeral Home of West Des Moines and the Missing in America Project are hosting the memorial services for Fernandez, Hines and Watson. Light refreshments will be served after the services at the American Legion Post 403 Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter at 910 Main St.
A statement issued by Hamilton’s Funeral Home said, “On the battlefield or back home, no soldiers are left behind. We strive to provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these heroes.”[wpedon id=”85410″ align=”left”]
I fully support those involved with the Full Military Honors to finally have a proper interment for these three veterans. I just was so saddened to read the part because they were “unclaimed remains.” Please support our Veterans!