SAN ANTONIO — Unaccompanied veterans were honored at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery today in a ceremony dedicated to preserving their memory and thanking them for their service to the country.
Despite having no family members present, dozens of attendees declared themselves as family to the eight veterans honored, ensuring they were not alone.
Mike De La Rosa, a Vietnam veteran, emphasized the importance of the event. “It’s like a brotherhood in military service,” he said. “You always take care of the man next to you or the man to the right or left of you, and these people don’t have anybody, so we come out here to give a hearty farewell.”
Speakers at the ceremony stressed that the event was not just about saying goodbye but also about expressing gratitude for the veterans’ service. They highlighted that while these veterans may have departed alone, they are never unaccompanied.
Attendees expressed hope that more people will take the time to pay their respects to unaccompanied veterans, ensuring their stories live on. The next service is scheduled for October 15.