Forgotten Heroes Laid to Rest With Full Military Ceremony
*AUGUSTA, Mich.* — Two Michigan veterans whose remains went unclaimed received their proper military burials Thursday morning at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta near Battle Creek.
The ceremony honored U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Norman Bouwens and U.S. Navy Electricians Mate Todd McCan, both of whom died without surviving family members to claim their remains.
American Legion Post 298 Riders Director Jeff Burghdoff led the ceremony alongside veterans, students from Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools, and community members.
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"It's an honor for us to be here today to honor these veterans who have no family to stand for them," Burghdoff said. "We all are very passionate about doing this."
Each veteran received a three-round rifle volley, the playing of taps by a live bugler, and a folding and presentation of the flags from both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.
The ceremony took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, southwest Michigan. Members of the American Legion Post 298 Riders held American flags throughout the proceedings. Veterans, community members, and students took a moment of silence to honor their lives.
Similar ceremonies have become a tradition at Fort Custer, held each year for fallen troops whose remains go unclaimed. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that unclaimed remains be held for a six-month period before disposition.
The University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Forensic Pathology team has worked with federal officials on previous unclaimed veteran burials. Their investigators extensively research the deceased to verify military service when no family members come forward.
These ceremonies ensure that veterans who served their country receive the dignity and honor they deserve, even when no one else can claim them.