Wyckoff Firefighter Helps Bury Remains Of Unclaimed Veterans

WYCKOFF, N.J. — The remains were unclaimed and abandoned. Stephen Kopshaw made sure they were not forgotten.

Kopshaw is a township firefighter who helped bury the remains of six veterans with full military honors Thursday. They were left unclaimed and abandoned for decades. He volunteered to help the Mission of Honor for Cremains of American Veterans bring their remains to the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. The non-profit has previously buried the remains of 203 unclaimed veterans and reunited another 272 with their families.

Kopshaw was also part of the 21-gun salute squad honoring the veterans. Three of them fought in World War II: Thomas English Jr., James Walls, and Richard Mower. Leroy Thomas Jr. and William Ellis served during the Vietnam War. Robert Sinn served during the Korean War.

"It was a humbling, once-in-a-lifetime experience," Kopshaw said. "It's sad to think of anyone abandoned with no family left to take care of you at the end of your life. That these are war veterans moved me even more."

Kopshaw found out about Mission of Honor from his fellow firefighters.

"When we found out what they were doing, we all wanted to do more to help," Kopshaw said. "Anyone who serves our country does not remain in a box on a shelf in a basement. It's just not right. Whether these veterans have family or not, it should be the mission of every American, who these heroes fought so hard to protect, to provide them a resting place."

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PHOTO: Members of Mission of Honor for Cremains of American Veterans pull out six folded American flags before a burial ceremony for the remains of six unclaimed veterans at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. Courtesy of the Mission of Honor