Massive crowd attends funeral for Air Force veteran with no family

Thousands of people attended the funeral Monday of an Air Force veteran after initial fears that no one would attend his funeral because he had no living family members.

The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, called on the public last week to attend Air Force veteran Joseph Walker’s Monday funeral, according to local ABC-affiliate KVUE.

{mosads}The cemetery said they did not know of any living family of Walker’s and did not want him to be laid to rest alone.

“We have the distinct honor to provide a full military burial for unaccompanied United States Air Force Veteran Joseph Walker,” the cemetery said in a post on Facebook. “We do not leave veterans behind.”

The request was met by the thousands who attended the 10 a.m. service, with one photo posted on Twitter showing a lengthy procession of cars arriving.

Killeen, Texas: A line of cars stretching for miles to attend the funeral of an Air Force Veteran with no family.. after fears he would be buried with no one attending. pic.twitter.com/IC5z7IlDjh

— Janet Shamlian (@JanetShamlian) January 28, 2019

Local CBS-affiliate KWTX reports that while funeral services at that cemetery are not uncommon, they typically only have a few people in attendance.

Local biker group Wind Therapy Freedom Riders organized to attend the funeral service together. 

About 40-50 people have gathered this morning to ride out to Air Force Veteran Joseph Walker’s funeral. The Wind Therapy Freedom Riders are holding a safety meeting before getting on the road. Many veterans and riders from different organizations are here today. pic.twitter.com/7RHVndIPgK

— Jay Wallis (@KVUEJayWallis) January 28, 2019

Walker served in the Air Force from 1964 to 1968.

The funeral service was posted on Facebook by the Texas General Land Office.