OKLAHOMA CITY – Five unaccompanied veterans were laid to rest with full military honors June 26 during a committal service recognizing their service and sacrifice. Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, received the ceremonial flag on their behalf.
The ceremony took place at Seaman First Class Billy Turner Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore as part of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs’ FOUND Project (Find Oklahoma’s Unclaimed National Defenders). The program identifies and inters cremated remains of veterans without family or representatives to claim them.
“These veterans may not have had anyone to claim them but they have a nation that will always remember them,” Townley said. “It was a privilege to stand in their honor and ensure they were given the dignity and respect they earned in service to our country.”
The remains were transported with escort from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Patriot Guard Riders, CW4 Randy Growall USA retired, CW3 Clinton Holt USA retired and State Veterans Cemetery Administrator Jamee Smith.
The FOUND Project partners with funeral homes across the state to locate unclaimed veteran remains and confirm service records before arranging burial in a state veterans cemetery.
