S/SGT James Beavers passed away Monday at the age of 74. He was a disabled U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran (1963-1966) and had no known surviving family. An article by Russ Read in the Daily Caller stated that based on a "Task & Purpose" report James enlisted in the U.S. Army as a payroll clerk in 1963. He would go on to serve three years in the Army before his discharge, after which he spent three additional years in the Reserve. After his military service, he settled in Marion, Indiana, moving later to Fort Wayne. According to a close friend, he was an adopted orphan, a very private man, and never married or had children. Further research by a local genealogy librarian did locate four extended family members who survive. Six months after James' death, it was determined he was survived by a son he never knew. That son also serves in the US Army.
A funeral service, provided by the owners of D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, was officiated by Fr. Jonathan Norton and Fr. David Meinzen on December 17 at the Lakeside Park Chapel. McComb's also provided graveside burial rites with full military honors immediately following the service. The public was invited to attend to pay their respects -- and that they did! Representatives of all military branches as well as a large contingent of emergency responders and members of the public turned out in droves, numbering approximately 1,200 attendees. Mr. Beavers, I am sure, would have been amazed and delighted. D.O. McComb & Sons asked anyone who wanted to give money toward expenses instead donate money to any military charity in James' honor.
The following is the first verse from a poem by Lewis Millett published in James Beavers' memorial program:
"AN OLD SOLDIER'S PRAYER"
"I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life."
A funeral service, provided by the owners of D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, was officiated by Fr. Jonathan Norton and Fr. David Meinzen on December 17 at the Lakeside Park Chapel. McComb's also provided graveside burial rites with full military honors immediately following the service. The public was invited to attend to pay their respects -- and that they did! Representatives of all military branches as well as a large contingent of emergency responders and members of the public turned out in droves, numbering approximately 1,200 attendees. Mr. Beavers, I am sure, would have been amazed and delighted. D.O. McComb & Sons asked anyone who wanted to give money toward expenses instead donate money to any military charity in James' honor.
The following is the first verse from a poem by Lewis Millett published in James Beavers' memorial program:
"AN OLD SOLDIER'S PRAYER"
"I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life."
S/SGT James Beavers passed away Monday at the age of 74. He was a disabled U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran (1963-1966) and had no known surviving family. An article by Russ Read in the Daily Caller stated that based on a "Task & Purpose" report James enlisted in the U.S. Army as a payroll clerk in 1963. He would go on to serve three years in the Army before his discharge, after which he spent three additional years in the Reserve. After his military service, he settled in Marion, Indiana, moving later to Fort Wayne. According to a close friend, he was an adopted orphan, a very private man, and never married or had children. Further research by a local genealogy librarian did locate four extended family members who survive. Six months after James' death, it was determined he was survived by a son he never knew. That son also serves in the US Army.
A funeral service, provided by the owners of D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, was officiated by Fr. Jonathan Norton and Fr. David Meinzen on December 17 at the Lakeside Park Chapel. McComb's also provided graveside burial rites with full military honors immediately following the service. The public was invited to attend to pay their respects -- and that they did! Representatives of all military branches as well as a large contingent of emergency responders and members of the public turned out in droves, numbering approximately 1,200 attendees. Mr. Beavers, I am sure, would have been amazed and delighted. D.O. McComb & Sons asked anyone who wanted to give money toward expenses instead donate money to any military charity in James' honor.
The following is the first verse from a poem by Lewis Millett published in James Beavers' memorial program:
"AN OLD SOLDIER'S PRAYER"
"I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life."
A funeral service, provided by the owners of D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, was officiated by Fr. Jonathan Norton and Fr. David Meinzen on December 17 at the Lakeside Park Chapel. McComb's also provided graveside burial rites with full military honors immediately following the service. The public was invited to attend to pay their respects -- and that they did! Representatives of all military branches as well as a large contingent of emergency responders and members of the public turned out in droves, numbering approximately 1,200 attendees. Mr. Beavers, I am sure, would have been amazed and delighted. D.O. McComb & Sons asked anyone who wanted to give money toward expenses instead donate money to any military charity in James' honor.
The following is the first verse from a poem by Lewis Millett published in James Beavers' memorial program:
"AN OLD SOLDIER'S PRAYER"
"I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I've lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life."
