They served their country with honor, but when they died, no one stepped forward to claim them. Now, eight veterans will get the burial they deserve, with full military honors. This will mark 97 unclaimed veterans/veterans spouses in the Knoxville area interred by Berry Funeral Home.
Presentation of the U.S. flag, bagpipers, urns designating branch of service, remarks by Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Chaplain Pat Polis-Vietnam Veterans of America, rifle detail, color guard, Patriot Guard riders.
Wednesday, March 22 at 12 p.m.
East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy,. Knoxville, TN 37920.
Berry Funeral Home, East Tennessee Regional Forensic Center and East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Chaplain Pat Polis, Vietnam Veterans of America officiating
Military Honors by US Navy, US Army, East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard, Volunteer State Honor Guard and Pigeon Forge Honor Guard.
Motorcycle escort by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and numerous East Tennessee Bike Chapters.
Veterans being interred are:
- Sergeant First Class Jerry Alan Palmer (1950-2022), US Army, Retired (1968-1988)
- Specialist 5 David Brent Bledsoe (1952-2021), US Army (1972-1978,) US Army Medical Research Institute-Infectious Diseases
- Specialist 4 Robert Daniel Edwards (1954-2023), US Army (1974-1976), 122nd Maintenance BN/770th Maintenance Company, Army National Guard
- Private First Class Terrell Wayne Biggerstaff, Jr. (1960-2022), US Army (1980-1982), Company C. 1st Battalion, 58th Infantry
- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Charles Robert McMeans (1956-2022), US Navy (1974-1978), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
- Private Joseph Norman McGoldrick (1944-2021), US Army (1961-1962), US Army Armor School,
- Private Fredrick Joseph Chase (1956-2021), US Army (1976-1977), Company C., 4th Battalion, 3rd Basic Combat Training
- Private Paul Deen Alexander (1957-2022), US Army (1975), Company C., 11th Battalion, 5th Basic Combat Training
