Once every quarter, the Florida National Cemetery holds a service for indigent and unclaimed veterans, but cemetery officials said they are also welcoming services for individuals as well.
Robert Krause served as a Marine in the 1950s. When he died, there was no family or anyone to claim him.
“I’ve heard that a veteran dies twice: once on the battlefield and the second time when people stop saying his name,” said Nick Morales, a veteran of both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army.
”If there’s anything we can do to prevent the latter, so be it.”
Nick and his other volunteer bikers showed up at Robert’s funeral service to escort his casket from the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital to the Florida National Cemetery.
The bikers said that it was an honor to participate because no veteran should be buried alone.
“Our motto is ‘Vets helping vets,’” Nick Morales said.
“We’re not going to let any vet go to their final resting place by themselves.”
We all have a common bond of service – our service, what we have done for our country. And regardless of what we’ve done after our service, we still have that bond.”
Robert received the send-off he so deserved, including a motorcycle escort. They were there to proudly speak his name.
His service ended with Taps.
“It’s not just Taps for Mr. Krause, it’s Taps for all of us who are fallen. It’s embedded in us,” Morales added.
This story is so beautiful in spite of the circumstances.
Rest in Eternal Peace in Heaven, Robert Krause. Grateful for your Service to our Country.
Gratitude to the Bikers for their Compassion and Heartfelt Kindness.
