VeteransFriday, November 6
Six unclaimed veterans received a final salute at Pikes Peak National Cemetery
The Daily Colorado Springs team
About three dozen people gathered at Pikes Peak National Cemetery on Thursday to salute six unclaimed veterans. Very little is known about them beyond their service in the Army, Air Force and Navy. All were honorably discharged and recently interred at Pikes Peak or Fort Lyon National Cemetery. The burial flag, which normally goes to family, went to a volunteer veteran who keeps it in their memory.
Six unclaimed veterans from three branches were honored Thursday
| Veteran | Service and rank |
|---|---|
| Nelson Edward Collins | Army, Specialist 6 |
| Richard Lee Plummer | Air Force, Sgt. |
| Edward David Kern | Air Force, Airman 1st Class |
| Douglas Edward Anderson | Air Force, Airman 1st Class |
| Horacio Orlando Martinez | Navy, Fireman |
| Billy Bean Norton | Navy, Airman |
Source: The Gazette
The 1,000 lbs. Honor Bell was tolled for each of them. It came to Colorado Springs last November.
535times the Honor Bell has been tolled at interments since last November
That's the count from the Honor Bell Foundation.
Source: The Gazette
“Every veteran deserves to be called home with dignity and honor.”
- Salute: three volleys from a seven-member rifle party
- Nationwide: VA estimates 11,500 to 52,600 unclaimed veterans at funeral homes
- The bell holds artifacts from 12 deceased Colorado veterans
- The cemetery holds these ceremonies once or twice a year
Sources: The Gazette, KRDO