NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — At the Niagara Falls Veteran's Memorial Park, Debbie Amacher and Richard Reeves look at their uncle's name.
Meredith Frank Keirn.
He died in the Korean War. His remains stayed there, until last summer.
“Almost 69 years, they didn't hear anything about him. And then all of a sudden here he is. He's coming home. And he's going to be laid to rest,” said Amacher.
Last summer, the family of Marine Sargent Keirn, got the news. They knew he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, they just didn't know when.
Now they know.
Keirn will be laid to rest this Thursday morning.
“It's still a sad occasion, but it's still a very happy occasion and we're all just excited to be a part of it,” said Amacher.
Thursday morning, after nearly 70 years after he sacrificed his life for his country, Marine Sergeant Keirn will finally be laid to rest.
Fifty-eight members of his family will make the journey to Virginia to take part.
“At 89 years old, he and his brother are the only two siblings left and for this to happen to the both of them, it's an amazing thing,” said Reeves about what this means for his father.
The family of Keirn knows they're luckier than most families facing a similar struggle.
“There's still thousands of American soldiers over there that have not been recovered. That was always a possibility that he may never come home,” added Reeves.
Their advice to those families, keep going.
“Don't give up, make sure you don't give up. Make sure you go out and get the DNA testing,” said Reeves.
