Central Iowa nonprofit plans to give 13 more unclaimed veterans their Final Salute in early October
Early next month, a local nonprofit will lay 13 more unclaimed central Iowa veterans to rest, including two who served in World War I.
The Final Salute will hold its eighth service on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Lutheran Church of Hope in Waukee, with a burial to follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
The group of 13 veterans they will lay to rest this year is the second most ever, only trailing last year’s number of 20.
The year’s group of heroes is made up of five Army, four Navy, and four Air Force veterans.
These are brave individuals who, for one reason or another, were not claimed when they died. Many of their cremated remains have been on the shelves of funeral homes for decades.
One military spouse will also be buried.
Lanae Strovers, the president and founder of the Final Salute, tells vlog they’re now working with four central Iowa funeral homes to have access to unclaimed individuals. From there, genealogists work to learn more about their backgrounds and give them a military burial if they served in the military.
New this year, the ceremony will be held on a Saturday.
"I've had so many people reach out, thankful because they can now come. You know, they couldn’t get off work or school or whatever. And so being able to open that Saturday up to us has been fantastic," Strovers tells vlog.
After the early October service, a total of 84 veterans will have been given a proper sendoff thanks to the Final Salute’s hard work.
Strovers says people of all ages are welcome and that it serves as a great history lesson for any kids in attendance.
Details
When: Saturday, Oct. 4
Where: Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope in Waukee, with the service to follow at 11 a.m. There will then be a procession to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, where the burial will take place.
More information:
