Unclaimed Veterans receive Military Honors Funeral

On Wednesday, April 6, 2017, five veterans were given a Military Honors Funeral at the Mountain View Funeral Home in Blairsville, GA. They were 1st Lt. Charles John Hodapp, Jr. US Army; SP4 Michael Salvatore Nicolo, US Army; SP4 Christopher Allen Gunter, US Army; SP4 Louis Henry Klaer, US Army; and SGT. Gary Lee Criswell, US Air Force.

Following the ceremony, the cremated remains of the five veterans were loaded aboard a hearse, each by a family member, and transported to the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. The hearse was escorted front and back by a procession of approximately 150 veterans, including Honor Guardsmen from Union and Fannin Counties, and lead to the Union County line by Union County Sheriff Mack Mason in a Sheriff’s pursuit vehicle with lights flashing.

Following Sheriff Mason were approximately 50 veterans riding motorcycles, the hearse, and the rest following in vehicles. The procession left Mountain View Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. and proceeded south on GA Hwy 515 toward Blue Ridge, Fannin County, GA.

The lost remains of the five veterans were discovered by volunteers from the Missing in America Project (MIAP), an initiative founded and lead by Daniel Poirier of Blairsville, GA.

The purpose of MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor, respect and dignity to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten veterans.

UPDATE: Video of Ceremony at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA