2 veterans without family are mourned at funeral by strangers

Full article https://www.wthr.com/article/2-veterans-without-family-are-mourned-funeral-strangers

PUBLISHED: FEB 5TH, 2020 - 2:47PM (EST) UPDATED: FEB 9TH, 2020 - 7:51AM (EST)

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — A funeral service was held Thursday for two veterans who have gone unclaimed by any family members.

Former Army soldier David Lamaster and Marine Harold Baker died within a day of each other last month.

No family came forward to provide services for either of them. There was a service with military honors Thursday. Strangers came forward to make sure they were properly honored.

"They're veterans — brothers and sisters that served with us. It's always important. It should be the highest priority. Just because they don't have the next of kin doesn't mean they don't have a family. We are their family," said Lt. Col. John Spanogle, US Army (Ret.)

Sprowl Funeral Home on West 30th Street picked up the cost of the service.