On Oct. 22, the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, in partnership with the Missing in American Project (MIAP), provided a memorial service with full military funeral honors for three Veterans who donated their bodies for medical education and research.
“Every Veteran with honorable service has earned the right to be interred in a national cemetery and has paid the price by their service to this great nation. There is no cost to the family for this service; it simply is the right thing to do,” said Douglas Maddox, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery assistant director. “I want to point out that these Veterans continued to serve their country and their community even after their death.”
The Veterans interred were:
- Paul Alexander Rogers, Navy Veteran (Seaman), who served from July 1951 to March 1953 (Korean War);
- Cameron Wayne Scott, Air Force Veteran (Sgt.), who served from November 1977 to December 1983;
- Lawrence Dale Stout, Army Veteran (Spc.3), who served from November 1954 to November 1956 (Korean War).
The service included a rifle salute by the Dallas-Fort Worth Honor Guard, a live bugler and flag presentation. The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders escorted the urns to the committal shelter, with carrying by cadets from the Oak Cliff High School JROTC.
Honor and respect
In conformation with Texas state law, all bodies are cremated upon completion of studies.
“Our mission is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American Veterans. We strive to provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes,” said Tyler Carver, from MIAP who organized the service along with Joyce Earnest, the Texas Coordinator for the MIAP.
The 638-acre Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery opened in May 2000. Since that time, the cemetery has conducted more than 59,000 interments of Veterans and eligible dependents. The cemetery scheduled a Veterans Day ceremony honoring military Veterans for Nov. 11, at the cemetery.
Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities, may also be eligible for burial. For details, visit www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/eligible.asp.
Douglas Maddox is the assistant director at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
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I would also like to know how to do this. The article should have included information on how others could do this as well.
Most medical colleges have that research. My husband is 92 and we are donating his remaings to the University of South Alabama medical dept. hope this is of some help.
How do you donate your body to research?
I contacted the nearest teaching hospital and asked how to donate my body. They sent a questionnaire and will pick up my body when I pass. I was told my ashes could be released after a year if I so wished. Very simple, just do not become an organ donor or they can’t take the body. Be sure whomever will be around at death is aware of your decision and has the phone number to call. You have to be approved before death so if that is what you want, go for it now.