SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A Korean War veteran has become the first person laid to rest through a program created by a fellow veteran that pays for the funerals of down-on-their-luck vets.
Russell Lee Hooker, a former combat Marine who died April 23 at age 78, was buried Saturday at the Garden of Peace Cemetery in South Bend in an Amish hand-crafted casket donated to the family through "The Last Salute" program.
The program pays for the funerals of veterans who either have no family, no church or no veterans organization from which to seek guidance or assistance.
During the funeral, members of a voluntary local honor guard unit fired 21 volleys in a solemn salute to Hooker. As relatives wiped away tears, a solo bagpipe played "The Marines' Hymn" and a bugler sounded taps.
Hooker had worked as a taxicab driver for 46 years and loved fishing, hunting and playing pool and poker. He died after a six-month stay at a health care facility.
His youngest daughter, Marie French, told the South Bend Tribune that being accepted into the program meant a great deal to her father and his family.
She said he would have been particularly honored by the 12 Marine motorcyclists who surrounded her father's hearse in a missing man formation during his funeral procession.
"He would have been impressed with the motorcycles — and how the police escort was in front of him instead of behind him," French said with a smile after the burial.
The pro bono program was created by Robert L. Miller Sr., a fellow veteran who spent two years putting it together.
Miller, a retired local judge and retired lieutenant commander of the U.S. Naval Reserves who is in his 90s, was noticeably choked up after Saturday's funeral.
"I'm just so blessed to still be around to see the first one. This is my dream," he said.
Miller said he hopes that in time "The Last Salute" program will be adopted in cities across the country for other veterans in similar circumstances.
"When I learned there are down-on-their-luck veterans who were dying across the country and ending up in morgues with tags on their toes and bodies unclaimed, I had to do something," he said.
The land for the Garden of Peace Cemetery was dedicated in November 2010. Miller said a local garden club plans to landscape the veterans area.
K.R. Palmer, owner of Palmer Funeral Homes, said Saturday's funeral was a true collaboration of many local entities.
"It's the right thing to do for our veterans," said Palmer.
Brian Balog, president of Michiana's Marine Riders, said it was an honor to take part in Saturday's service for a fallen comrade. He said it was an opportunity "to make sure he was put to rest with honor and respect."
Over the years, Miller has also founded Miller's Vets, a group of homeless veterans who dress in military attire to participate in drills and ceremonies, including funerals and burials like Hooker's.
He also purchased a building for the 25-bed Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran's Center that recently opened adjacent to the Center for the Homeless in South Bend.
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