‘Standing Room Only’ during memorial honoring two ‘unclaimed’ veterans

A memorial service held for two ‘unclaimed’ veterans had an enormous turnout in Indianapolis on Thursday.

The special funeral service held for 58-year-old army veteran David Lamaster and 60-year-old marine veteran Harold Baker was attended by so many veterans and grateful civilians that there was not a single empty seat, reported CBS 4.

“No matter whether you know a person or not, as decent human beings, we can honor one another,” said Wynne Berry, Lead Chaplain at Sprowl Funeral & Cremation Care.

“It’s sad for the deceased and it’s sad for the family,” said Ron Montague, Deputy Commander of the Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard. “It may not even be something they’re aware of, and that’s the sad part of it. We’re glad that we can still honor them so they’re not forgotten – That’s what’s most important.”

Still, even without knowing these two men, Montague says that every member of the military is family, regardless of their name or history. 

“You don’t need to know each other’s names, we don’t need to know about our family’s, but we always know this… we are family,” Montague said. “We are brothers and sisters, and nothing will ever change that.”

Lamaster and Baker will be laid to rest at Marion National Cemetery on Friday, February 7th.