Posted on 04/24/2019 3:34:45 PM PDT by Kaslin
We’ve seen a few of these stories in the past year or so, and now another has shown up. If this is turning into a trend, I certainly hope that it continues to gain in popularity.
Robert Grala of Williamstown, New Jersey, was a veteran who served in the United States Army and served in Korea in the late sixties. Last week, at the age of 70, he passed away of natural causes alone in his home. A couple of friends and neighbors knew him, but a search by officials failed to locate any living relatives. It appeared that Mr. Grala would meet his final reward alone. But that’s when the local newspaper stepped in and put out the word as has been done for other unaccompanied veterans recently. Local veterans’ groups were contacted as well, determined that Grala would receive the honors due him. (Courier-Post)
Nearly 50 years after Robert Grala was stationed in Korea with the U.S. Army, the decorated serviceman died alone in Williamstown. Gloucester County’s veterans aren’t about to let Grala — a man awarded several military medals — to be buried without a final salute.
Gloucester County’s veterans’ groups are asking residents to join them at a Monroe cemetery Monday to honor Grala as he is laid to rest.
I suppose we should stop being surprised by this point because the milk of human kindness hasn’t dried up entirely in our country. That’s particularly true when it comes to our veterans. As the local CBS News outlet reported, the turnout was beyond impressive, with hundreds of people who had never met Robert Grala, along with a full military escort, showed up to see him off.
A United States Army veteran from New Jersey was laid to rest with full military honors on Monday. Hundreds of people who didn’t even know him attended the service.
“He had no family, he had nobody to say goodbye to him,” Joni Harrison, of Operation Yellow Ribbon, said.
Surrounded by complete strangers, Robert “Bob” Grala was honored at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery for his burial.
It does my heart good to see stories like this. It’s an unfortunate fact that too many people outlive the rest of their relatives and wind up dying alone. Veterans are no exception, but expectations among the veterans community are higher for their final salutes. I will never, ever forget my father’s funeral. The family was there, of course, but the military showed up in force as well, along with members of both the VFW and the American Legion. Rifle volleys were fired, a pair of bugles played taps, one echoing the other from behind a small hill, and the flag was folded with care and placed in my mother’s lap. It’s how it’s done in the military community.
Bob Grala had no family left to see to these matters. But the community and the military stepped in to fill the void. And now another soldier’s journey has ended properly. Rest in peace, Robert Grala, and thank you for your service.
Godspeed, Mr. Grala. Thank you for serving.
Very blurry screen alert!
So incredibly sad.
I remember,years ago,my mother walked to a funeral mass for a neighbor——she was the only one there-——it bothered her for the rest of her life.
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Every Catholic should either join or start an Arimethia Group,,,,,these people attend Funerals.
These stories happening more and more and all over not just Red states, the American people have a deep respect and love for our vets. Time to harness this and get our vets taken care of. The power just needs to be harnessed and no swamp creatures could stand before it!
As a veteran and facing my demise alone, I appreciate what people did to make his funeral more handable by the remaining people.
What I do NOT understand is why people didn’t visit him while he lived? Why is that so hard? Churches are especially adept at that sort of thing...sort of like it’s my turn to do the Hail Mary Two Step to See Robert...who may be shy or bashful or afraid his house and it contents would offend...the church, any church, could take care of that, too. I have visited many people during their grieving period and beyond. It is not hard. You don’t even have to talk much. Just sit, drink tea or coffee and be companionable. The next visit you can be chatty....
My town never even knew my late husband had died. He specifically asked that no obituary be printed in the local paper, and he asked to be cremated. I did that. Then it was like I had fallen into a well. No one, not one person from this town came to see how I was doing and we don’t have a Wailing Wall so I couldn’t make a public spectacle of my grief. My mother said the same thing happened to her when her husband (my dad died). People she considered close friends for 20 years never visited and most did not send any cards and did not talk with her ever again.
I think we are missing the boat when it comes to comforting the bereaved and certainly the person who then dies.
It’s fear. People are afraid of death, and of saying the wrong thing.
If you’re moved to do so, make the effort and reach out, if only so that your neighbors don’t wish they’d made the effort after you’re gone. Hard to do, no doubt.
Touching story. Thanks for posting it.
Having some problems with my screen...
It sounds like they didn't know, and were afraid to ask.
LOL my screen too!
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