Hundreds of kind-hearted strangers said a proper goodbye Thursday to an abandoned American veteran who died alone in a nursing home in Maine.
Former Marine Gary Brooks’ funeral at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine, featured a 21-gun salute, pilot flyovers, a motorcycle escort and a spectacular ceremony coordinated by military groups from around the state.
“For us, it’s an honor to have this opportunity,” said Jim Roberts, commander of the Belfast VFW chapter. He told the Associated Press.
“There’s so much negativity out there. This is something that makes people feel good and brings them together. It’s really wonderful.”
The heartwarming ceremony began with a funeral home posting a desperate notice seeking people to help with casket bearing or simply attend the burial of a forgotten Marine.
Within minutes, the church refused to accept volunteers to carry the coffin, according to the Associated Press.
Funeral director Katie Liposta, who called in the rescue last week, said so many groups had volunteered to pay their respects that there wasn’t enough space to accommodate them for the 20-minute burial ceremony.
“It renews your faith in humanity,” she said.
Much of Brooks’ life is shrouded in mystery. He was a widower and lived in Augusta until he entered a nursing home in early May. He died a week later, on May 18.
The funeral home contacted the family, but no one was willing to claim the body, Liposta said.
Roberts said Brooks’ son, granddaughter and son-in-law attended the funeral in silence but declined to say why they didn’t come forward sooner.
Among the sea of strangers there were a few other familiar faces.
Victoria Abbott, executive director of the Bread of Life shelter in Augusta, said Brooks sat at the same table at the soup kitchen every day and always had a joke and a smile on his face.
“A typical 80-year-old, he told dad jokes every day,” Abbott said. “He was just a great guy to have around. He was part of the soup kitchen family.”
Ann An online memorial wall dedicated to Brooks There was an outpouring of emotional messages Thursday from people who missed the Marine too long ago.
All thanked Brooks for his service and promised him he would not be forgotten in death.
“Thank you for your service and sacrifice,” one mourner wrote.
“You’re home now. You’ll never be abandoned again.”
