Veteran died alone: Did you know him?

JewishWorldReview.com ^ | May 9, 2011 | Mitch Albom

[JWR_Editor]

A vet's body lies alone in a cooled room in the Gates of Heaven Funeral Home in Detroit, thanks to the grace of its 66-year-old owner, Joseph Norris, who said, "My heart told me I had to do this."

[meadsjn]

Someone must remember Senior Chief John D. Hannah.

[Gondring]

ping

[Tainan]

It might sound corny...but...’There but for the Grace of G-d, go I’....Vets ping?

[napscoordinator]

Sad story but I don’t understand how this guy does not have any money. He was getting a pension of around 3 grand from the Navy. I can understand spending money quickly but having 900 dollars is not unreasonable. BTW, E-8 is not reasonably high rank. It is only one rank lower than the highest rank. I am going to add this to the Facebook Page that is for Chief Petty Officers. Perhaps that might help too. Thank you for posting.

[SatinDoll]

Thanks for the story.

[PghBaldy]

Here is where he lived at various times (I found the info on Ancestry.com, through public sources they compiled):

Name: John D Hannah
Birth Date: 11 Aug 1955
Phone Number: 579-3510
Address: 31380 Westfld, Livonia, MI, 48150 (1994)
[31350 Westfield, Livonia, MI, 48150 (1991)]
[31380 Westfield St, Livonia, MI, 48150-5908 (1991)]
[21746 Garrison St, Dearborn, MI, 48124-2367 (1996)]
[663 Adams St, Plymouth, MI, 48170]

[rlmorel]

Rest in Peace, Chief.

[mom4melody]

This man deserves to be buried in a VA Cemetery. I believe this one is close to Detriot.

Any Freepers work for the Detriot VA that could look into this?

Great Lakes National Cemetery
4200 Belford Road
Holly, MI 48442
Phone: (248) 328-0386
or (866) 348-8603
FAX: (248) 328-0612

[stevie_d_64]

I’m floored...I can’t imagine that the Navy couldn’t provide a list of commands where he served...there have got to be some past shipmates out there that remember serving with him...

That would be a start...

I can relate to him in a way, I know I would have a hard time carrying on without my wife, I finished up as an E-8 as well, and I know its hard to keep things up when your retired and all that...you just got to have “things” to do...If you don’t it really piles up on you...

I’m still working, but I watch my Dad who is retired, but he’s having a ball doing things that make him happy, and keep him occupied...

I hope someone comes up and visits the Senior Chief soon...

[jmaroneps37]

Sometimes the media gets something right.Publishing this story is one of those times. Prayers up for this vet and thanks to the writer.

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings.

Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

[WVKayaker]

I am now living in Gulfport, MS. This is a great option for Vets... and as Chairman of MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) Committee for the Resident Advisory Council, I can tell you there is lots of things to keep busy! Check out the current residents topics at the top right. Plus, there is a VA Hospital in Biloxi, and Keesler AFB. I have a dentist appt Wednesday here in the Wellness Center...

https://www.afrh.gov/afrh/afrhhome.htm

[magslinger]

I’m still working, but I watch my Dad who is retired, but he’s having a ball doing things that make him happy, and keep him occupied...

Sounds like my dad. He said about a year after he retired "It's a good thing I'm retired, I don't have time for a job." He kept busy carving birds and making things for the church.

[magslinger]

MIping

If you wish to be added to or removed from the Michigan ping list, please post or FReepmail me.

[antisocial]

I posted a link to this article on “together we served” website, a site for reconnecting with those we served with.

[kalee]

This is one of the saddest things I have ever read. We gave Osama a ceremonial burial at sea but one of our own lies unclaimed and unburied.

[Hatteras]

Part of the problem with living so long is there are no buddies left to mourn your passing at your own funeral.

I have had two uncles pass away in recent years. Both, as was my own Dad, truly honorable WWII vets.

Uncle No.1 was in the US Air Force for 29 years during WWII and, as an encore... Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a lead B-17 pilot and flew 50 combat missions over Europe. He received a 2nd Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bronze Star during Vietnam while serving as a helicopter rescue pilot.

Uncle No.2 was Uncle No.1’s older brother who passed at the age of 95. Uncle No.2 was in the 8th Marines, served in the Pacific and fought in the raids on Tarawa, Tinian & Saipan. He had received two purple hearts and, if I recall correctly, also a bronze star. He is now resting peacefully at Arlington.

Two War Heroes in every sense of the word. Each had barely a few more than family members attend their funerals. But I’ve got to give the Marines, the Army and Air Force their credit. The show of respect and honor displayed for each veteran’s passing was truly inspiring and very much appreciated.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks magslinger.

[thesearethetimes...]

Thank you for the ping magslinger, and the post JWR.

Godspeed Chief.

Tatt