A Promise Kept: 12 Veterans and Spouses Finally Laid to Rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Scottsmoor

On By Space Coast Daily

Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind

The Inaugural Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind Service was held at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on November 14, in between heavy winds, and rain, which likely kept many away.  Still, 90 attended, 30 of whom were bearers of the urns, folded flags and flowers or other positions to make sure the Service went well.  Nine veterans and three spouses were finally laid to rest that day.  One WWI veteran had enjoyed a long life after combat but was abandoned for 47 years.  Now he and the others rest in honored peace at CCNC. They now rest in well-kept surroundings with their brothers and sisters forever. (Roger Scruggs image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The United States of America pledges to every eligible veteran, whether he she dies in combat or after a long life, an honorable military funeral service at an appropriate resting place. 

Many families decide to inter their veteran and veteran spouse loved ones in family plots at private cemeteries.  More and more in East Central Florida decide to take advantage of the service provided at the six-year-old, beautiful VA Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Scottsmoor.

It serves five counties and after it was opened in 2016, no Florida resident is now more than 75 miles away from a National VA Cemetery.

Sadly, some veterans and spouses are not claimed by anyone, and funeral homes are required to store those urns unless some helps to determined they are VA eligible for inurnment.  Most such abandon urns are not veterans. New rules indicate that such cases will not go beyond one year in the future, but decades have gone by before those changes.

The Inaugural Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind Service was held at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery (CNCC) on November 14, in between heavy winds, and rain, which likely kept many away. Still, 90 attended, 30 of whom were bearers of the urns, folded flags and flowers or other positions to make sure the Service went well. Nine veterans and three spouses were finally laid to rest that day. One WWI veteran had enjoyed a long life after combat but was abandoned for 47 years. Now he and the others rest in honored peace at CCNC. They now rest in well-kept surroundings with their brothers and sisters forever. (Image: Roger Scruggs)

It is estimated a number likely around 500 eligible veterans and spouses are in abandoned urns in funeral homes and related facilities in storage in our county.  That is why Brevard Veterans undertook a five-month program, working closely with CCNC Director Ed Lyons, to create Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind (BNOVLB) for this county.  Other organizations all around the country, including in Florida are devoted to the mission, but clearly the more engaged, the sooner the sad story ends.

The Inaugural BNOVLB Service was held at CCNC on 14 November in between heavy winds and rain, which likely kept many away.  Still, 90 attended, 30 of whom were bearers of the urns, folded flags and flowers or other positions to make sure the Service went well.  Nine veterans and three spouses were finally laid to rest that day.  One WWI veteran had enjoyed a long life after combat but was abandoned for 47 years.

Now he and the others rest in honored peace at CCNC.  As one witness noted, saying they were happy they came despite the weather, the service was moving and being there was important to confirm the life, service and sacrifice of each and every eligible veteran and spouse.  They now rest in well-kept surroundings with their brothers and sisters forever.

Three – four BNOVLB Services are planned for 2024.  The Veterans Memorial Center, the Support Committee of the CCNC, and the Cape Canaveral Chapter of MOAA and its Good Deeds Foundation, came together with Director Lyons to make the new organization happen through a Steering Committee with two members from each organization.

Services will be listed in the VMC Monthly Calendar or contact Donn Weaver at 757-871-6576 to volunteer or learn more.

The Inaugural Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind Service was held at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery (CNCC) on November 14, in between heavy winds, and rain, which likely kept many away. Still, 90 attended, 30 of whom were bearers of the urns, folded flags and flowers or other positions to make sure the Service went well. Nine veterans and three spouses were finally laid to rest that day. One WWI veteran had enjoyed a long life after combat but was abandoned for 47 years. Now he and the others rest in honored peace at CCNC. They now rest in well-kept surroundings with their brothers and sisters forever. (Image: Roger Scruggs)
The Inaugural Brevard No One Veteran Left Behind Service was held at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery (CNCC) on November 14, in between heavy winds, and rain, which likely kept many away. Still, 90 attended, 30 of whom were bearers of the urns, folded flags and flowers or other positions to make sure the Service went well. Nine veterans and three spouses were finally laid to rest that day. One WWI veteran had enjoyed a long life after combat but was abandoned for 47 years. Now he and the others rest in honored peace at CCNC. They now rest in well-kept surroundings with their brothers and sisters forever.
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