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Community Corner

Southern California Homeless Veteran to Receive Military Funeral March 20

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park & Mortuary announced it will host a public funeral service for a United States Veteran who recently died homeless.  The service, which also marks California’s Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, will be held in the Garden of Valor on March 20 at 10:00 a.m.  The community is invited to join in paying tribute to this American during the ceremony at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village.  A private interment will take place at Riverside National Cemetery. 

 

“Today, there are more than 150,000 homeless veterans in the U.S.; many whose remains are unclaimed at their death risk burial in common graves with no recognition of the service they gave our country,” said Chester Perry, Operations Manager for Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park & Mortuary.  “The Dignity Memorial® Homeless Veterans Burial Program is designed to ensure that veterans who are homeless, indigent and have no family receive the honors in death that their service in life merited.  We’re honored to give this veteran the dignified military service he deserves.” 

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The ceremony will include a message by Pastor Craig Beeker, New Hope Lutheran Church, Agoura Hills, Opening and Closing Prayers by Pastor Bruce Kitabjian, Grace Bible Baptist Church, Newbury Park and the raising of the flags by VFW Post 10049 from Simi Valley, VFW District 7 and Army Recruiting Command.  A wreath will be placed to honor the deceased Veteran, Bagpiper will play Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. The Patriot Guard also will be present to honor this veteran.

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The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a cooperative effort among Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers, Riverside National Cemetery, the Veterans Administration, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and local veterans’ organizations and veterans advocates.  Through the program, the Dignity Memorial network provides preparation of the body, transportation, casket and coordination of the funeral service.   

 

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park & Mortuary, FD 1344, in Westlake Village, Calif., is a proud Dignity Memorial provider.  The Dignity Memorial network of more than 1,800 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence. For more information, call (818) 889-0902 or visit www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com.





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