Veteran Will Get Military Funeral After All

[Phantom Blooper]

Jun 18, 2009 2:57 pm US/Central
Veteran Will Get Military Funeral After All
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News)
AP






A North Texas man had to fight for his veteran friend to receive a proper burial.

But since we first reported this story Wednesday night, people all over North Texas have stepped forward to help out.

Larry Wayne Roycroft was a Vietnam Veteran in the Navy. Roycroft, known to his friends as Wayne, died earlier this month.

William Bret said he wanted his friend and war hero to be buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. But since no family members had come forward to help with funeral expenses, Bret said Roycroft's remains would be cremated and put in a common crypt.

Roycroft's body has been waiting at the Dallas Medical Examiner's Office for more than two weeks.

"Wayne is entitled to this veteran's funeral," said Bret. "It's ridiculous that the simple transportation of the body, and perhaps a pine casket, is the only hold-up for him to get this funeral."

Bret said his friend didn't have any money because of the recession. "He was a hard worker," said Bret.

Moore Funeral Homes in Arlington works closely with Veterans Affairs.

They run the Dignity program for homeless and indigent veterans.

Michael Wilfong, the general manager of the funeral home, said they were tracking down family, but had had no luck. In a statement, Wilfong said, "We are looking into it and willing to help in whatever way possible. Our priority is to make sure veterans are taken care of."

"For him to be transported out of the cemetery, somebody has to pay a funeral home the regular expenses that a normal funeral would cost - somewhere between $1,000 to $5,000," said Bret.

Bret wanted to cover the costs, but said he's on a fixed income and cannot afford to.

But on Thursday, the VA in North Texas agreed to pay for the burial and asked that Roycroft's body be picked up, according to Major Funeral Home in Arlington. Roycroft will receive a proper burial after all.

There will be a viewing on Monday from 10 am until 1 pm at Major Funeral Home, 2811 Galleria Drive in Arlington. Roycroft will be buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 3 pm Monday.

After CBS 11 News first reported this story Wednesday night, many viewers expressed interest in helping financially. Neither the Veterans Administration nor the Dignity program has a way to accept donations. But you can contact Major Funeral Home via its website, www.askmajor.com.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

[Rocky C]

Chuck, I clicked on the link to make a Donation and couldn't find it so I sent an email to them.
Thanks for posting that.
Semper Fi,
Rocky

[Phantom Blooper]

http://www.askmajor.com/

Try this......