Giving Veterans the Respect They Deserve
Every veteran deserves a proper and dignified funeral. After dedicating their lives to serving their country, it’s only right that they receive a respectful send-off. Unfortunately, not every veteran has family or friends who can attend their funeral. However, that doesn’t mean they have to be laid to rest alone. In a touching gesture, a group of compassionate high school seniors came forward to carry the casket of an Air Force veteran who had no one to accompany him in his final journey.
Ralph Lambert, a retired US Air Force veteran, passed away in Louisiana on February 8 at the age of 94, as reported by KALB. Sadly, he had no immediate family or friends who could be present at his funeral. Lambert had served his country for more than two decades, from 1950 to 1971. The thought of him being buried without anyone to honor his service was truly heartbreaking.
High School Seniors Step Up
When a local high school baseball coach named Jordan Marks learned about the veteran’s situation, he decided to take action. Marks recruited six seniors from Menard High School, all members of his team, to attend Lambert’s funeral and carry his casket. For Coach Marks, this was not only a meaningful way to honor a veteran, but also an opportunity to teach his students important life lessons beyond the confines of the baseball field.
“I try to teach them the game of baseball, but also the game of life. Anytime we can serve a community member, especially someone who served our country, we are more than happy to do it,” Marks shared with KALB.
An Unforgettable Honor
On the day of the funeral, the six seniors—Ashton Veade, Cameron Kinder, Jacob Giordano, Jackson Ford, Ashton Brodnax, and Hunter Foster—carried Lambert’s casket, draped in the American flag. They bid farewell to the veteran as he was laid to rest at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Although they had no personal connection with Lambert, it was an honor that will be etched in their memories forever.
“It was an honor for us, seniors, to be able to go out there, especially with somebody with no family and friends,” expressed Jacob Giordano in an interview with KALB. Cameron Kinder added, “I felt sorry, and I am just glad that we got the opportunity to go out there. We all have our family and friends, but I think we fail to realize that somebody out there doesn’t have that.”
Honoring Unclaimed Veterans
Stories like this are all too common. It’s a sad reality that some veterans pass away alone and are denied a funeral with military honors. Organizations like the Missing in American Project work tirelessly to identify unclaimed veterans and ensure they receive the rightful send-off they deserve.
No veteran should ever be buried without someone by their side, and thanks to the kindness of these six caring high school seniors, Lambert did not have to endure such a fate. We extend our deepest gratitude to these seniors for paying their respects to this veteran at his funeral. We are certain that Lambert would have been filled with happiness knowing that someone cared about him until the very end.
Please share this heartwarming story to inspire others and shine a light on the importance of honoring our veterans. Let us all strive to make a difference in the lives of those who have selflessly served our country.
