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Local VFWs provide an honor guard for remains of WWII vet

The Daily Nonpareil - 12/3/2017

OMAHA - A casket carrying the remains of an unidentified American soldier from World War II looked like it might experience a lonely arrival at Eppley Airfield on Nov. 17.

That's when eight members of four Nebraska VFW posts in Bellevue, south Omaha and west Omaha stepped forward to ensure the flag-draped coffin received an appropriate reception, The Bellevue Leader reported.

Larry Gerlt, state commander of the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of Omaha'sVFW Post 2704, said he received a call that a World War II cemetery near Sembach, Germany, was being closed and that remains of eight unknown U.S. soldiers were being sent to Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, for potential identification at a special unit that specializes in DNA analysis.

The caller said that no honor guard was expected to greet the casket and asked if Gerlt could do anything about it. Gerlt called his VFW friends to see who was able to serve on an honor guard.

Joe Smith was among those who stepped forward. Smith, a veteran of the Gulf War, is quartermaster of Bellevue VFW Post 2280 and state junior VFW vice commander.

"Normally, these MIA remains are flown directly to Offutt," he said. "When that happens, they are met by a base honor guard, and it's a big to-do. But these (remains) were arriving at Eppley, and nothing was going to happen, so we decided we would provide the honor guard."

Smith was joined by Bellevue VFW Post 10727 member Bernie Brosnihan, a former state VFW commander, along with colleagues from VFW Posts 1581 and 2704. Shortly after 8 p.m.Nov. 17, on a cold night, a hearse backed up to a cargo door.

VFW members stood at attention as the door rolled open and a forklift slowly deposited a flag-draped casket into the rear of the hearse. They saluted, as the civilians present - including the driver of the hearse - placed their hands over their hearts.

Then the hearse, with its unknown occupant, began its journey to Offutt Air Force Base.

"We wanted to be here," Smith said. "These people have gone unidentified since World War II."