Even in death, no soldier left behind (VIDEO)

Watch veteran Larry Watson, of Wooster, accept the flag on Wright's behalf RITTMAN — "This is our heart. This is America." That was the sentiment from Col. Vivan Francis Duffy on Thursday regarding a crowd that overwhelmed parking capacity at Western Reserve National Cemetery to attend a committal service for William Louis Wright. Hundreds turned out to "claim" the "unclaimed veteran." That's the designation given when a veteran dies and there is no one there to do all of the things that typically befall family. Pick out the casket. Organize a touching memorial. Stand ready to accept an American flag. Wright, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran, died Oct. 15 with no immediate family members. He was born in 1947 and joined the Air Force during the height of the Vietnam War in 1966, serving one tour at Son Nhut Air Force Base. Awards and commendations for Wright include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. Word of mouth and social media posts since Wright's death led to roughly 200 people descending upon the cemetery to stand in as his "next of kin." A line of cars backed up the cemetery's entrance well after proceedings had begun. Parents were spotted pointing out military graves to their children as they walked through the rain with one overheard saying, "This is what it's all about. This is what it means to put everything out there for what you believe." The crowd huddled under a pavilion as service members folded an American Flag 13 times and handed it to Larry Watson of Wooster, who accepted it on Wright's behalf. Watson is a former U.S. Army specialist, Purple Heart recipient and fellow Vietnam veteran. "This is really overwhelming today," Watson said. "Mr. Wright was going to be here all alone with no family, no veterans, nothing. No person should go that way. Every person should have someone who cares. As you can see, there's a lot of people who care. It's our honor and privilege to be able to do this." The event attracted a wide-array of area military and law enforcement personnel ranging from the Ohio Highway Patrol, numerous Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion groups, firefighters, police officers and individual veterans who had heard of the situation as recently as yesterday. Many donned full uniforms as they paid tribute to their fallen brother. The Medina County Marine Corps Detachment provided an honor guard. Rittman resident Tom Leatherman, another U.S. Air Force veteran, said the substantial turnout was completely organic and came together with no formal campaign or effort. The cemetery's Facebook page invited the public to attend the ceremony on Wednesday. "I got a call from the cemetery director and he told me about Mr. Wright having no relatives," he said. "He asked if I could get some people here. Being a member of the 555th Honors Detachment, I reached out to a good number of people that I know. Then suddenly, it's all over social media and getting this great response. Everyone was talking about it. It exploded. I had nothing to do with that. It was a natural progression, which is a beautiful thing. It brings a tear to my eye. "We have almost 40,000 burials out here. Military people stick together and they don't want to leave anyone behind. We weren't going to leave Mr. Wright behind under any circumstances." Duffy read a tribute to Wright as all looked on in silence. "We join with you in mourning," he said. "For we too have suffered a loss. You, a precious loved one and we, a comrade in arms. He has joined the ranks of countless heroes who served our country in both times of peace and war. He again, joins them through heaven's gates to have peace forever. God bless him for the freedoms he has helped to preserve. God bless the United States of America." Cemetery officials said the turnout was the largest seen for a committal service since the site opened in 2000. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.