New South Carolina Law Pushed to Give Veterans Rightful Military Funerals
Two American Legion members, Larry Truax and John Bianchi, passed a new state law allowing the names of the dead that remain unclaimed by any relatives to be checked for military service. States other than South Carolina had similar laws, and the two mentioned that it was time for South Carolina to have its own.
During its passing in the state House and Senate, no opposition was met. It was made official and signed in May.
Many US veterans who had served their countries and have died without any family had died and were buried without having the honors they deserve.
One example is Staff Sgt. John Rieser who died in October of 2009 in Conway. His parents have died and he was an only child. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge, who wanted to give Rieser a proper military burial did not know what to do. This law aims to resolve these particular details in the shortest possible time.
The two lawmakers who passed the state law mentioned that they did not want to see veterans die alone or do not get the honors they deserve. The two men have served four years in the Korean War era.
The community of South Carolina have been supportive of the efforts, given the many veterans who have died of old age and were not given a proper military funeral service.
Source: The State
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