Every heroic American who risked his life to serve his country deserves a dignified funeral. But, after a marine veteran passed away, he had no family to claim him. Then a group of bikers showed up and grabbed his casket.
Robert Krause is a Marine veteran who served his country in the 1950’s. He died in Florida with no family or relatives to claim him. Although the Florida National Cemetery holds a group service for unclaimed veterans once a quarter, that did not seem like an appropriate burial to one group of strangers who learned of his passing.
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association did not want to see Krause laid to rest with very little acknowledgment. Instead, the group felt he should receive a proper sendoff, so that’s exactly what they did.
After their resent discovery that a dozen veterans pass away unclaimed each year in the Tampa Bay area, David Allen gathered his fellow bikers to do something in honor of men and women like Krause.
David Allen made sure the hearse carrying Robert Krause to his final resting place received a motorcycle escort from the Hospital in Tampa to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
“Escorting this veteran with no family to his final resting place is the last thing we can do to help him” said David.
“This is the last opportunity that, as a combat veteran myself, i have to show respect for this veteran. If it’s not for us stepping up to do this, many would go on to have a service at Bushnell with no one present,” he explained beside his fellow bikers who couldn’t agree more.
Nick Morales, a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps said that it is an honor to participate because no veteran should be buried alone.
“I’ve heard it said that a veteran dies twice: once on the battlefield and second time when people stop saying his name,” explained Nick for Fox 13 News.
“If there is anything we can do to prevent the latter, so be it,” he added while his voice was shaking with emotion.
God bless these great men and women for their act of kindness towards Robert Krause and many other veterans. May this Marine veteran rest in peace and may these thoughtful folks receive the applause they deserve.
This is the America that we know and love, a country full of patriots who show respect for he brave people who serve our country.