Heartwarming: More than 1,000 turn out for funeral of veteran with no family


In a heartwarming tribute, more than 1,000 people paid their respects to a veteran who reportedly had no surviving family.

According to WISH-TV, Marine Corps veteran Billy C. Aldridge, 80, died at a nursing home Oct. 14. The Jeffersonville, Indiana, native had no recorded family, the station reported.

But that didn't stop the Indianapolis community from putting together a service. Legacy Cremation & Funeral Services teamed up with Private Label Caskets, Memorial Park Cemetery and Indiana Police Escort to organize the ceremony and burial.
Eddie Beagles, Legacy's vice president of funeral operations, urged the public – especially fellow veterans – to attend the funeral, which was held Tuesday.

"Giving this veteran who faithfully served his country a proper burial with military honors is the right thing to do," Beagles told WTHR.

The public listened. On Tuesday morning, more than 1,000 people, many wearing military uniforms, flocked to Lawrence United Methodist Church to say farewell to Aldridge.

"You are his family. Thank you," said Joe Johnson, the church's pastor.

>> Click here to watch a video report


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