Texas Military honors fallen veteran
Story by: Capt. Martha Nigrelle
Posted: April 26, 2016
Capt. Martha Nigrelle
Soldiers from the Texas National Guard’s Honor Guard recognize the service of Airman 1st Class James Beatty with full military honors, during a Missing in American Project ceremony held at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, April 17, 2016. The ceremony was a part of the Texas Military Department's annual Open House, an event that serves to honor veterans, service members and partner first responders. The Missing in American Project locates, identifies and inters the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Martha Nigrelle/ Released)
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Military Department, along with Missing in America Project volunteers, American Heroes Air Show, first responders and American Legion representatives, honored a fallen Airmen during a ceremony held at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, April 17, 2016.
Airman 1st Class James Beatty served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1975 to 1978. Shortly after being honorably discharged from the service, Beatty passed away. The events of his death are unknown and his body was never claimed.
“There have been thousands of brothers and sisters in arms whose lives ended in a similar manner and were lost to any family or friends,” said retired Texas Military Department Chaplain, Col. John Price. “Not missing in action, but missing in America.”
According to their website, the Missing in America Project works with private, state and federal organizations to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans and provide honor and respect to those who served their country by securing them a final resting place.
The Texas Army National Guard’s Honor Guard rendered full military honors to Beatty, including a 21 gun salute. They presented a flag, on behalf of a grateful nation, to Javier Gonzalez, Post 83, American Legion Riders. Gonzalez received the flag on behalf of all veterans, since Beatty had no known next of kin.
“It’s so important for Camp Mabry to be hosting this and to share it with the public,” said Hunter Ellis. “It gives people a chance to honor those that have served and recognize the importance of serving. Hopefully we are fueling a new generation of freedom fighters for people who want to uphold those American values.”
Ellis understands firsthand the significance of honoring the missing. His father fought in Vietnam and never made it home, being listed as missing in action for more than 40 years. Ellis, a Navy veteran, said he recognizes the importance of ceremonies that return service members to families or provide a permanent resting place for American heroes.
“It’s important to be given full honors and return home,” said Ellis. “My Dad’s ID card is in a north Vietnamese museum. So I hope one day that it will be returned to American soil and at least I will have some part of him.
The Missing in America Project has interred 2,736 veterans’ remains in the last 10 years, said Price.
“This was a memorable way for the community to finally identify and honor a long-lost hero that served our country,” said Wut Tantaksinanukij, Co-Event Director of Austin’s American Heroes Air Show. “It’s never too late to honor our American Heroes for their military service.”
Beatty’s remains were interred at the Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen, April 18, 2016.