KILLEEN, TX — The military community came together to give a final salute to an unaccompanied veteran.
United States Army veteran Major Lee Shotwell, Jr. died in November, just two days after his birthday. After an exhaustive search for his family, the community came together to properly say farewell with the distinction deserving of a person who served our country.
Major Shotwell bravely served from 1963 until 1966.
“I know how it is, and I know what I went through. I know what he went through. So God bless him,” Pvt. Louis Hicks, WWII veteran.
Pvt. Hicks served from 1946 until 1947.
“It’s wonderful that this organization has created something like this. God bless America,” said Hicks.
Commissioner George P. Bush received the flag on behalf of Shotwell.
“This is the first of its kind program, other states are seeking to replicate it. And it’s a great platform to speak about veterans issues in the great state,” said Bush.
He says this is a platform for a broader message.
“We need to look out for battle buddies. Either do a better job of taking on issues of civilian transition as military members roll off of military duty. But also deal with suicide awareness,” said Bush.
This marks the hundredth unaccompanied burial at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
Another unaccompanied Army veteran will be laid to rest on Wednesday. A burial service for veteran John Lynn Loyd is planned for 2 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
