Two Oregon Veterans to Receive Military Funeral Through Dignity Memorial Homeless Veteran Burial Program

With more than 60,000 homeless veterans in the U.S., many whose remains are unclaimed at their death risk burial in paupers’ graves. Through the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, two Oregon veterans won’t be among them.

– Richard Rose, died on Apr. 18, 2015 at the age of 69. He served in the United States Air Force during Vietnam.
– Raymond Chatelain, died on Apr. 22, 2015 at the age of 58. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

Both veterans will be honored with a public memorial service on Monday, June 1 at 3:00 p.m. at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, located at 1350 Commercial Street SE in Salem. A graveside service with full military honors and interment will follow on Tuesday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. for Richard Rose, and 11 a.m. for Raymond Chatelain at Willamette National Cemetery located at 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, in Portland.

Chaplain Bob Weinberger, also an Army veteran will officiate the services. Additional participating organizations include Ron McFadden (U.S. Air Force Retired; Vietnam Veteran) who will receive the flag in lieu of family, Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Post 180, Veteran’s Color Guard, McChord Air Force Base Funeral Honors and the USMC Funeral Honors.

A guest book will be available in the lobby of Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors from May 26 – June 3 for those who wish to pay their respects but are unable to attend the services.

These veterans passed away with no money and no legal next-of-kin to make their funeral arrangements. That’s when Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, an honored Dignity Memorial® provider stepped in to see to it that these veterans receive burials befitting veterans of our nation’s armed services.

“The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a cooperative effort designed to ensure that veterans who are homeless, indigent and have no family receive the honors in death that their service in life merited,” said Mindy Barella, funeral home manager and chairperson of the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program in Portland and Salem. “We’re honored to be able to give these three veterans the dignified military service they deserve.”

Working with various local agencies, the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program ensures homeless veterans receive dignified military burials when they die. Founded in 2000, the program operates in select cities across the country and has conducted more than 1,600 services for homeless veterans since its inception.

The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program is one of many efforts of the Dignity Memorial network to honor and support our nation’s veterans and active military. Other initiatives and programs include the Veterans Planning Guide, educational veterans’ seminars and special pricing for members of veterans’ service organizations.

Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors is a proud Dignity Memorial® provider in Salem. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 2,000 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 excel.

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