POW-MIA Cpl. Buckley laid to rest

AUSTINTOWN

Servicemen, family and community crowded into Lane Family Funeral Home and paid respect to fallen soldier Cpl. Dennis Buckley.

The remains of Buckley, missing for 63 years, were found in North Korea – the last place where Buckley was known to have been.

Calling hours were Wednesday.

John Brown III, past AMVETS national commander, and his wife Jan, as veterans, feel the need to pay respect to any fallen comrade – especially one gone for so long.

“Veterans are a family within themselves,” Brown said. “They make sure when a fallen comrade is there, if any possible way, you go there and pay your final respects.”

Mourners with tear-filled eyes and cracked voices exited the viewing room, several stopping to thank one another for their service to the country.

When Eleanor Stevenson, Buckley’s niece, received notice from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) that her uncle’s remains had been found, she was overwhelmed, and brought the information to Lane Family Funeral Home.

Mark Lattimer, funeral director, said the six- to eight-week process snowballed from there.

Read more about his journey in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com., where you can also view a video of the service.