Korean War Soldier, Missing For Decades, Laid To Rest In Waltham
WALTHAM (CBS) -- It was a homecoming more than sixty-five years in the making.
On Saturday hundreds gathered to pay their respect to Army Sgt. Robert Dakin.
"We gather to welcome home Army Sgt. Robert Dakin, who has been separated from his family, friends, hometown and country for 65 years," Reverend Marc Fredette said at the First Parish Church of Waltham.
Waltham native Sgt. Robert Dakin served in the Korean War, but in 1950 he went missing in action and the 22 year old never came home. For decades his family prayed Bobby would one day come home. Dakin's remains were later identified through DNA.
"His mother never gave up hope and that hope has been fulfilled today," his great nephew Derek Hughes said.
During the ceremony mourners prayed, sang and held a moment of silence. Bobby's long-time friend and high school teammate, 87 year old Lorne MacArthur, took time to reflect back.
"The thing that stands in my mind was that he was such a nice kid and It brings a great deal of closure to me he's always been in my mind," MacArthur said.
Outside the church hundreds lines the streets of Waltham. They stood on buildings. They held flags to pay their respects to a man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"The peace of having someone back who put his life on the line for us to be free. 65 years later. I wouldn't have missed it," Waltham resident Linda Beck said.