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Remembering Cpl. Dennis Buckley
RITTMAN
Eleanor Stevenson was no more than 8 when she last saw her uncle Dennis.
For more than 60 years, Cpl. Dennis Buckley, presumed dead, was listed as missing after he was reported last seen in the Suan prisoner-of-war camp in North Korea on Feb. 13, 1951 – just two weeks before his 23rd birthday.
Stevenson said she can’t quite picture her uncle’s face.
Thursday afternoon, staff from Lane Family Funeral Home in Austintown transported Buckley to Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road. After Stevenson was notified her uncle’s remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency scientists and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, she contacted Lane.
Mark Lattimer, Lane Family Funeral Home funeral director, was intrigued by the story of a lost hero found. He took Stevenson’s hand in his, told her Lane would take care of everything and thanked her for walking through his doors.
“It’s just such an honor, and it was so important to give this our undivided attention,” Lattimer said.
When Lattimer asked Stevenson if she had any kind of picture of Buckley, she sadly told him she had nothing.
Lattimer, needing to put a face to the name, spent a day calling libraries and various archive facilities to see if anyone might have a picture. He was able to get a copy of Buckley’s ninth-grade yearbook photo from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pa.
“I kept his photo on my desk as kind of motivation for any time when things got rough in this whole process,” Lattimer said.
He was troubled to think of such a young person spending his birthday at war – especially in a POW camp.
“I cringe at the thought of how he died,” he said. “He could’ve been starving in that camp when he should have just been celebrating his 23rd birthday.”
Pastor Russ Adams, of Western Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield Township, shared a prayer with both locals and travelers alike to celebrate Buckley’s life.
“This is what a real hero is,” Lattimer said. “He gave his life and no one even knew about him.”
The only person who did know Buckley was his niece. But that didn’t stop 200 mourners from going to the Wednesday evening calling hours. It also didn’t stop the group of 50, mostly strangers to Stevenson, who not only made time attend the funeral, but also thanked her for accepting responsibility of their comrade’s remains.
“We are all just out showing respect for the family and a fallen brother of ours,” said veteran Tom Strunk of Eastlake.
Another veteran, Joe Szucs of Parma, said he and various friends left at 9:30 a.m. to arrive in Austintown to escort Buckley’s remains to the cemetery.
“It’s the last thing we can do, and the honor is ours,” Szucs said.
Bob Dunlap, a veteran and motorcyclist from Lafeyette, estimated five motorcycle groups escorted Buckley’s remains by traveling to Austintown and then to Rittman.
“It’s just so humbling to be part of this,” Pastor Adams said. “It really puts what is in life into perspective, and you see what’s really important.”
Matt Metschke, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery funeral director, said it was great to see the community rally around the fallen veteran – especially one missing for so long.
“As long ago, as he was left alone before, we made sure he wasn’t left alone today,” Metschke said. “It’s great when the family and the community can get together and honor our vets. ... When they come out here, the community is aware and they celebrate the veteran. No fallen brother is left behind or left alone.”