After graduating from high school in 1968, Jacky Lyn Branstetter joined the Navy during the height of the Vietnam War.

Branstetter had no family when he passed away earlier this year in the Community Living Center of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

No Veteran forgotten

Man standing by American flag playing bugle.

“Fortunately, we have a system in place for those situations,” said Dole VA’s Decedent Affairs Program Specialist Linda Rivera.

It’s called the Final Mile—a protocol that is activated when a Veteran passes with no known next of kin.

The Final Mile practice combines the efforts of the facility’s Decedent Affairs Program Specialist with community support to provide memorial services for Veterans who otherwise would not be remembered or honored upon their passing. The Final Mile program ensures that all Veterans are honored—not only in life, but also in death.

“We arranged for his burial to take place at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery,” Rivera added. “With the support of a local mortuary, law enforcement agencies and Veteran service organizations, we were able to provide a final salute to our fallen Veteran.”

About 175 VA staff, Veterans and community members turned out to render honors to Branstetter before the procession departed the medical center for interment at the state cemetery.

Large crowd gather sin parking lot for final salute for a fallen Veteran.

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Final Mile

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13 Comments

  1. Larry Meyer July 28, 2025 at 01:14

    A wonderful and heart-warming example of how the VA steps forward for those who served. BROVO ZULU! (Navy signal flags for’ well done’)

  2. Steve Mottter July 25, 2025 at 19:10

    Stand down, Shipmate. We have the watch.

  3. Dennis Klinger July 25, 2025 at 14:00

    Fair winds and following seas. God speed brother. May you rest well and at peace.

  4. Billy Stockton July 25, 2025 at 06:57

    May the Spirits be at your side always. Have wonderful travels.

  5. Michael Pate July 24, 2025 at 17:17

    That is so cool and good to hear we have such services. Fair winds brother.

  6. Ernie USN July 24, 2025 at 15:42

    What an awesome way to send our military brothers and sisters into their next journey into heaven.

  7. Donald Skasggs July 24, 2025 at 08:24

    I think that’s great way to go VA

  8. Paul T. Olszewski July 24, 2025 at 04:08

    What an Honorable way to be sent off. Much Mahalo to all those that provide support for this special moment. Aloha Jacky Lyn Branstetter and Mahalo for your service … “Fair Winds and Following Seas” Shipmate, Aloha

  9. William petty July 24, 2025 at 00:07

    Rest in piece shipmate.

  10. Judith A Parsons July 23, 2025 at 13:09

    What a beautiful thing to do!

  11. MICHAEL SEILER July 22, 2025 at 19:21

    Thank you all for what you do.

  12. Kenneth w. Bartlett July 22, 2025 at 17:19

    Salute to you Sir and Vet from another Vet

  13. Dawn L Eiland July 22, 2025 at 16:51

    How beautiful…thank you for the kindness you showed.

Comments are closed.

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