Community pays respects to POW/MIA Cpl. Dennis Buckley


RELATED: Mahoning County roads to be named for fallen military men

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Koren War Veteran's Remains Returned

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The remains of a US soldier who died in a North Korean POW camp in 1951 have been returned.

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 of Youngstown, 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. Lane took over the remaining minimal cost and responsibility, after the federal government’s contribution, to bring Buckley home and lay him to rest.

Ray Ornelas, a member of the local Veterans Service Commission, thought it was great that Stevenson didn’t pass on the responsibility to someone else.

“I really feel it,” he said, pointing to his heart. “I thank them for bringing him back.”

More than 30 veterans wearing their dress blues lined up to shake Stevenson’s hand and pray for their fellow officer whose casket was blanketed in the American flag.

Ashley Britton, Navy casualty assistance officer from Columbus, said this event, in comparison with more recent deaths, is less of a sad event and more about a celebration of life.

“It provides closure and a final resting spot. It’s nice,” Britton said.

He said he will be available to provide anything that Stevenson needs.

“We work as the conduit to everybody to keep it easy on the family,” Britton said.

Many people have reached out to Stevenson, praising her, since she took on the responsibility of putting her uncle to rest.

Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said he was honored to be at the calling hours representing the Mahoning County commissioners.

“What a true testament of his courage and to his fortitude. He fought for our country and was missing for such a long time. To have his remains brought back here to this community is an honor,” he said.

Traficanti said he got goosebumps remembering veteran Salvatore “Sam” Traficanti, 87, the commissioner’s father, who died Dec. 29. He said events like these really touch him.

“As I approached the casket, I felt the presence and it gave me chills all through my body, just standing in front of it. That’s how much respect I have for that person,” Traficanti said.

He said he also has respect for the DPAA scientists and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory who identified Buckley’s remains.

“The family can have some peace. This is about the family having peace for the service of their loved one,” Traficanti said.

Today, 7,819 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using advances in technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that previously were turned over by North Korean officials or recovered by American teams, the DPAA said.