NILES, Mich. — Hundreds of people attended the funeral for a Vietnam veteran from Michigan who had no known living relatives.

Sixty-seven-year-old Wayne "Sarge" Wilson of Niles died during heart surgery in May, years after he'd made funeral arrangements for himself at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Unclaimed veterans buried with dignity, thanks to strangers
Unclaimed veterans buried with dignity, thanks to strangers

When the flags were removed from the caskets and folded with military precision, there were no family members there to receive them.

By: Adrian Sainz, The Associated Press, Karen Pulfer Focht, The Associated Press

The funeral home’s director invited Niles residents to Wednesday’s services after learning that the Michigan City, Indiana, native had no known living relatives.

Several hundred area residents and veterans attended the services and burial at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

U.S. Army members carry a folded flag along with the remains of Vietnam War veteran Wayne Wilson during his memorial service at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Mich. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Emil Lippe/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP)
U.S. Army members carry a folded flag along with the remains of Vietnam War veteran Wayne Wilson during his memorial service at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Mich. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Emil Lippe/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP)

Wilson, an Army veteran, received military honors, including taps and a rifle salute, during Wednesday’s services. Veterans and active military members rode motorcycles into the cemetery behind a vehicle carrying his ashes.

Niles Mayor Nick Shelton told mourners that “whether he knew it or not” Wilson was a hero.

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