Boise, ID
High 45 | Low 26
Currently: 42°
Tue
40|27
Wed
41|29
Thu
47|33

Veterans interred in Boise decades after their deaths

'Lord, we thank you that no one escapes your sight,' said Chaplain Robert Morris

BY KATHLEEN KRELLER - kkreller@idahostatesman.com

Published: 11/07/09


Bookmark and Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
print story email story to a friend
Comments (0) |

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SATURDAY

The Veterans Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Boise, starting at 10th and Bannock streets, ending on 11th and Idaho streets.

SUNDAY

Bring your memories, and hear the stories of other veterans, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Boise Depot as the Treasure Valley Storytellers honor local veterans.

The event is free, open to the public and handicapped-accessible. The Depot will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. to visit Big Mike, the historic train, the bell tower and exhibitions.

Questions? E-mail Barbara Martin-Sparrow at dandilion10@ yahoo.com.

VETERANS INTERRED

® Pvt. Alfred T. Slawson, Army, World War I, Aug. 1899 - March 1973.

® Pvt. Harry Nelson, Army, World War I, April 1892 - Sept. 1974.

® Pfc. Lloyd T. Coates, Army, World War II, May 1919 - Feb. 1983.

® Joseph Zulevic, Army, World War II, Oct. 1913 - June 1984.

® Pvt. Carl Russom, Army, conflict unknown, Dec. 1905 - Aug. 1986.

® Sgt. Elmer H. Forry, Army Air Force, World War II, Nov. 1914 - Sept. 1986.

® Seaman Robert A. Pankonin, Navy, World War II, April 1926 - Dec. 1986.

® Pfc. Tony Williams, Army, World War II, July 11 - Sept. 1987.

® Airman 3rd Class James R. Haskins, Air Force, conflict unknown, Sept. 1929 - May 1990.

® Pfc. Eugene Roman, Army, World War II, March 1908 - Aug. 1990.

® Sgt. Gardiner Davis Jr., Army, World War II, Feb. 1923 - Dec. 1994.

® Pvt. Bernard W. Nielsen, Air Force, World War II, April 1923 - Aug. 1998.

® Etc. Frank A. Berneberg, Navy, Vietnam, Nov. 1928 - May 1999.

No one wept over the deaths of 13 Idaho veterans of foreign wars.

They fought in wars to end wars and in the Vietnam conflict. And they died, generally, of old age and infirmity in Idaho. But their cremated remains languished for decades, unclaimed by family or friends. On Friday, the soldiers, airmen and sailors were interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

Along with the pomp and ritual of military honor guards, rifle volleys and the haunting notes of Taps, grey skies rained a lament for the once forgotten.

A few dozen gathered with military officials and flag-bearing Patriot Riders to mark the interments as part of the annual Missing in America ceremony. Such an event has been possible in Idaho only since the cemetery opened in 2005.

Twelve of the remains came from a funeral home in Kellogg. The remains of one veteran were kept for years in a footlocker under the bed of his lifelong friend. The friend promised to keep the remains until he died. When the friend died, his widow had both interred in the cemetery. The widow did not want to be identified.

Alfred T. Slawson, a World War I veteran, waited the longest for burial. His remains were forgotten for nearly 40 years. He died in 1973 at 84-years-old. Vietnam veteran Frank A. Berneberg died in 1999 at the age of 70.

Military honor guards carried the remains, housed in red velvet bags, and placed them into open vaults in a marble wall.

Idaho Army National Guard Brig. General Alan C. Gayhart noted the 13 soldiers who died in a tragic massacre Thursday at Fort Hood in Texas.

"One tenant of all soldiers, we will never leave a fallen comrade," Gayhart said.

Since the Missing in America program began in Idaho, the remains of more than 60 Idaho veterans have been recovered and interred. The Idaho Veterans Cemetery actively researches and locates the remains.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418

OPTIONS: Most Read Stories  |  Story Comments  |  Email story  |  Print story
hide comments

Story Comments
We welcome comments but ask that you remain on topic. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate or are off topic are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Do not flag comments merely because you disagree with the comment.

more about comments here.
Local Deals
Find a Job
Keywords:
Location: