Marine killed in 1943 buried Monday in Grand Island
A homecoming 72 years in the making was held Monday.
Marine Pvt. Dale Geddes died fighting in World War II, and his remains were just identified last year.
[Video: Marine killed in 1943 buried Monday in Grand Island]
Monday, in his hometown, he received a hero's welcome as he was finally laid to rest. His family used to own the funeral home in the town.
"It's closure to his time in service," said Linda Elliott. "It's prayers answered for his parents and his siblings. It's a beautiful day."
His parents and siblings are all deceased, but his grandniece and other family members watched as the Grand Island native was given full military honors.
The then-21-year-old was killed in November 1943 in the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. His last act was attempting to help a wounded friend.
"Dale was administering aid to one of his comrades as the sniper got him," Elliott said.
His remains were initially deemed unrecoverable.
"It was hard on the family," Elliott said. "They just stopped talking about it."
Then, last year, History Flight, a nonprofit organization started 13 years ago to bring home the bodies of American soldiers killed overseas, found Geddes and 34 others.
"This is some of the country's unfinished business," said Mark Noah. "That there are 88,000 servicemen from the wars of the 20th century, including 78,000 from World War II that are still missing."
For Geddes, the moment Monday is a journey come full circle.
The horse-drawn hearse was purchased by a collector, Bill Baasch, 45 years ago and restored. Baasch never dreamed it would be one day be used to carry the former owner's son.
"No, I never did," he said. "But it's an honor."
Patriot Guard riders escorted the casket, as residents lined the streets to pay respects.
Geddes was finally laid to rest, next to his parents and the memorial stone his mother made for him so many years ago.
"Today we get to put Dale right where his mom wants him," Elliott said.
The Geddes family is very grateful to the community and especially to the History Flight organization. They hope people will help their efforts to recover the remains of American soldiers.
More information can be found here: HistoryFlight.com.