Thousands respond to viral appeal to attend service for Air Force veteran with no family

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KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) Thousands of people streamed into the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Monday in Killeen to pay their final respects to Air Force veteran Joseph Walker, although it’s unlikely any of them knew him.

“We are overwhelmed at all this love and support, officials said in a post on the cemetery’s Facebook page Monday.

The Texas Veterans Land Board announced the service last week after officials were unable to locate any family members.

But a post about the service on the cemetery’s Facebook page went viral over the weekend.

"We have the distinct honor to provide a full military burial for unaccompanied United States Air Force veteran Joseph Walker," the post said.

"We do not leave veterans behind us.”

The response on social media was quick; thousands of people around the nation shared the story.

A KWTX reporter at the scene said the line to get into the cemetery was miles long and initial reports indicate some 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles were in the line.

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Janet Shamlian
Janet Shamlian
@JanetShamlian
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.

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