Ten veterans recieve send-off at Camp Butler National Cemetery

Posted on October 2, 2019
Camp Butler National Cemetery, near Springfield, staged its semi-annual “unaccompanied veterans” ceremony. (Photo courtesy: Camp Butler)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Ten veterans Wednesday received the send-off they should have gotten a long time ago. Camp Butler National Cemetery, near Springfield, staged its semi-annual “unaccompanied veterans” ceremony. “Unaccompanied” meant they had no loved ones nearby – if at all – and no funeral.

As it was, no loved ones of the ten veterans were on hand, but the ceremony did include Scripture readings and a listing of the ten names, plus flags.

“We want to make sure they have some kind of tribute,” said Anton McBride, assistant director of the cemetery. “We want to make sure that we honor the veterans any way we kind. We want to make sure that someone is here to give the final respects.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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