On August 22, members of American Legion Post 193 of Chapin gathered to lay to rest the cremated remains of five previously unclaimed veterans at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia.
Honored at the 11 a.m. ceremony were:
- U.S. Army SP/4 Nolan Dugas Jr., who served from 1972 to 1982
- U.S. Army SP4 (T) William J. Faircloth, who served from 1969 to 1971
- U.S. Army PV2 Everette L. Boice, who served from 1968 to 1970
- U.S. Army PVT Scott T. Plonski, who served in 1972
- U.S. Air Force A1C Kathleen (Harlach) Hodge, who served from 1983 to 1989
The veterans were interred with full military honors, including a ceremony officiated by U.S. Army Chaplain Col (Ret) Samuel Boone and an honor guard from the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and American Legion Post 71 in North Augusta. The cremated remains were transported by Whitaker Funeral Home of Chapin, escorted from American Legion Post 193 by the Patriot Guard Riders and fellow Legionnaires.
Representatives from the American Legion, Patriot Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and citizens from across South Carolina came together to ensure these veterans received the dignified burial they earned through service.
The public was invited to attend and pay respects to these individuals whose service to the nation had gone unclaimed until now.
For further information, contact Steve Goulet at 803-732-9569 or goulets2@gmaH.com.
