WWII Veteran Who Died Without Family Laid To Rest With Hero's Sendoff
TOWN OF YORKTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A World War II veteran was laid to rest with a hero's sendoff Friday in Westchester County.
Robert Graham, 97, passed away at a nursing home in Cortland Manor. He was left with no living relatives when his wife of more than 60 years died in 2017.
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Beth Regan, a 27-year-old volunteer at the nursing home, wanted to make sure the Marine private first class had a proper farewell.
"I was afraid we wouldn't have a turnout. I thought the church wasn't going to be packed for him," Regan told CBS2's Scott Rapoport. "He deserves nothing more than complete honor and respect."
Regan said Graham was part of the Marine Raiders, an elite fighting unit serving in places like Guadalcanal during WWII, and earned a Silver Star for Valor in Combat. But she particularly remembered the love he shared with his late wife, Rosie.
"He brushed her hair every morning," she said . "He'd held a mirror in front of her tell her every day how beautiful she was. When she was unable to hold utensils, every day Bob would feed her first before he ate himself."
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The NYPD, New York State Police, Yorktown police and fire all took part in Friday's services.
Following the funeral at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Graham was buried with full honors at Woodlawn Cemetery.