On Veterans Day, a soldier from World War II was finally buried in the East Bay after his body was found and given back to his family after 80 years.
The service took place in Lafayette on Veterans Day with a 21-gun salute. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army and died in the jungles of the Pacific Theater during World War II.
He was buried in Hawaii for 80 years as a “unknown soldier” because his body could not be identified.
In June of this year, DNA testing finally proved who he was. Dianne Carbine, his daughter of 80 years, from Clayton was told. A month before she was born, her father passed away.
“All of his awards—the purple one, the cross, and the bronze star—were given to me. There were about eight or ten award types.” She said, “It is been so strong and emotional up and down.”
Alex Smith, who used to play quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, talks about how a soldiers’ program helped him after he got hurt and was in danger of dying. Last Friday, Lt. Sundstad’s body parts arrived in the Bay Area and were taken to Walnut Creek.
A lot of the veteran’s extended family came to the funeral at Oakmont Memorial Park to honor him. His grandkids spoke.
“I met my dad for the first time on Friday night.” I also got to touch him for the first time. Then I said goodbye to him when they closed the coffin this afternoon. She said, “There have been many tears and many happy tears.”
Monday, soldiers and their families in Danville were invited to a pancake breakfast. The town also plans to light up the outside of the Veteran’s Memorial Building. A lot of people knew it was Veterans Day.
The patriotic music at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts made some people remember good times.
“I am a little disappointed veterans are kicked around like a political football, but I do appreciate the fact that people came to this thing and said thank you for your service,” a Coast Guard veteran said.
James Polk, who had been in the Air Force, tried not to cry as he said, “The National Anthem makes me cry every time.” I am sorry. I think it is true. I live for it. I was ready to die for it.