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Korean War veteran buried in Alabama

By: Lauren Gregory
(Contact)

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Staff Photo by D. Patrick Harding
Members of the honor guard from Fort Rucker load the casket containing the remains of Sgt. John Hershel White at Moore Funeral Home in Bryant, Ala. Sgt. White, a Korean War veteran, was listed as MIA in 1950 and his remains were repatriated in 2007 and identified in March of this year.

BRYANT, Ala. — A Korean war veteran who had been missing in action for nearly 60 years was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Bryant this afternoon.

The funeral for U.S. Army Sgt. John Hershel White, who was 20 when he was declared missing on Nov. 2, 1950, brought closure for hundreds of family members, friends and onlookers gathered for the occasion.

“I know now that he’s gone,” said Sgt. White’s sister, Faye Cooper, explaining that until she actually saw and felt her brother’s remains in a casket, she had always held out hope he would come home alive.

The large turnout and full military honors bestowed upon Sgt. White brought tears to the eyes of Mrs. Cooper’s son, Bruce Cooper.

“You see things like this on TV, but to be part of it, and to be part of history like this is just amazing,” Mr. Cooper said.

For complete coverage, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.

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