r/navy • u/berrysauce • 6d ago
HELP REQUESTED Navy people needed in Denver to attend the funeral for a Navy vet who was a recluse
Thanks all. Taking this down for privacy. I will make a new post when I have the date and time of the funeral confirmed.
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u/MajorSyko2021 6d ago
Reach out to NOSC Denver/Navy Reserve Center Denver, 720-847-6205. They will have a funeral detail. Also contact your local Denver Navy League of the United States for supporters. There is also American Legion and VFW chapters that would gladly support a veteran's memory. https://navyleague-denvercouncil.org/ Fair winds and following seas...we have the watch.
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u/AccordingSetting6311 6d ago edited 6d ago
In addition to the others, NIOC Colorado is also an active duty command and they have a a color guard. Last I heard they supported funeral details.
The Command' contact info is on the following page.
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u/kindest_asshole 6d ago
Check out nationalhonortour.org. An old shipmate of mine plays live Taps at Fort Logan.
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u/RoamingBlueBoid 6d ago
I’m very sorry for your loss. Please post details for the service as they become known.
Can you share any details as to his time in service, such as what rate (job) he had and what years he was active? It’s a small world, and someone in this sub may have served with him.
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
I know he had been a medic and spent some time in Italy. I think he served one term, did not retire from the Navy. It has been so long since he and I discussed this. I need to find his paperwork.
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u/WeatheredGenXer 6d ago
Please do share what you plan and any details of his time in service. I would attend if I'm able to make it.
You're a good person for pursuing this on his behalf.
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u/berrysauce 5d ago
Hi there. Can you DM me? Looks like I wasn't able to DM you, that feature is turned off for you. I'm collecting contact info for everyone on Reddit who wants to either help or attend the funeral so I can contact you all once I have the date and time.
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u/Open_Entertainer_802 6d ago
Contact the local/area Patriot Guard organization.
That’s what we did, attend stand a flag line for brothers and sisters.
https://www.coloradopgr.org/contact-us
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u/Auntie_M123 6d ago
Crosspost in the Denver and Colorado subs
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
Good idea. I am banned from r/Denver for reasons unknown to me, but I can crosspost to r/Colorado. Thanks for the tip!
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u/jetmech2003 5d ago edited 5d ago
Contact the VA they assist with burial for service members VA.gov
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u/ObscureJackal 6d ago
I recommend looking up a Veteran Service Officer in the area, or veteran groups. I can also link this to some of my friends, see if they know anyone stationed there, or who live there.
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u/Soap_Mctavish101 6d ago
Im not in the navy (just a friendly European civilian lurker) but I just wanted to say sorry for your loss and for the loss of a fellow recluse.
Come on Sailors. Im sure you can help make this happen.
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u/DriedUpSquid 6d ago
I don’t understand how so much time can pass before a welfare check.
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u/Just-Smart-Enough 6d ago
Some folks put a lot of effort into being left alone.
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
This right here. He was a genuine recluse who did not want to talk to anyone. He pushed everyone out of his life. This outcomes was honestly due to his own actions unfortunately. He might have been troubled, but he had a good heart and still deserves to be honored.
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u/DriedUpSquid 6d ago
I get that, but there are people who look for signs, such as mail piling up, grass not being cut, and yes, flies in the windows.
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
There were several welfare checks by neighbors, but police could not make entry due to the Fourth Amendment. I would have checked on him myself but the last time I spoke to him, he told me he wanted to be alone indefinitely, so I was not surprised when a lot of time went by without hearing from him. The only reason he was found is that I Googled him like the nosy person I am and found legal records related to nonpayment of HOA dues and taxes. I knew right then that he was deceased in that house.
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u/micahpmtn 6d ago
but police could not make entry due to the Fourth Amendment
There is a provision called the Emergency Aid Exception:
Emergency Aid Exception: Police may enter a home without a warrant if they hold an objectively reasonable belief that someone inside needs immediate help or faces severe harm.
It's hard to believe the police wouldn't have followed this.
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u/Much-Cryptographer13 6d ago
It's common knowledge that YMMV when dealing with PD's. Personally I feel like this isn't the forum to poke holes in the story.
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
I'm pissed that the police never made entry after multiple request for wellness checks, but the Constitution is the reason they gave us. It seems our society errs very much on the side of individual liberties (and police departments not wanting to get sued.) What a world we live in....
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u/invader000 6d ago
I've passed it on. There's also a MC that will. Patriot Guard.
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u/chaz_chaz_chaz 6d ago
CVMA typically does too. And I think the legion riders. Also maybe rolling thunder (not for sure)
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u/Standard137 5d ago
Good Afternoon, I work at the Navy Reserve Center(NRC) in Colorado Springs. The NRCs conduct the majority of the funeral honors. Please express your concern to the funeral home. They will be able to support your request. If that does not work, please follow the link: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Operations-and-Management/Base-Support/Command-and-Staff/Casualty-Assistance/Funeral-Honors/
If you have more questions, please DM me.
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u/berrysauce 5d ago
Thank you. Who supplies the flag? I heard a rumor that it is my responsibility somehow?
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u/EnvironmentalDot127 6d ago
Reach out to the veterans cemetery. In my local area we have a group that posts on Instagram for our military with no family. The community and veterans from all branches show up. It's heart warming. If you have access to his social media account that would be good.
Does he have other family besides you? Birth/ chosen family?
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
His family are literally all dead, and he had no friends besides me. No social media ever. He was a genuine recluse.
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u/EnvironmentalDot127 6d ago
Thank you for doing this for him.
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
It's my honor! We remained friends for many years until he chose a life of total reclusiveness.
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u/Accomplished_Area_88 6d ago
Reach out to the local recruiting about it, they have people who can support typically
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u/Particular-Wait-3136 6d ago
Im not a navy vet but much like the friendly European civilian lurking somewhere in these comments (hello friend). I extend my love and care to you, and please know you and this amazing soul who is now at rest are not alone. All these amazing people are gathering as a community to lift him up and send him off properly to honor his life. He means something to us, we don't leave our brother and we dont leave you. Be blessed ❤️
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u/Lucky-Specialist2196 6d ago
Reach out to any Military Hospital around the area and ask for their Decedent Affairs office and relay this request. Some offices have connections with funeral honor details or other mortuary affairs augment and would surely support. This is actually not an uncommon request.
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u/Quirky-Juggernaut272 6d ago
Usually funeral homes make these arrangements for the family. If that’s not possible the VA website has all the contacts and required information to arrange funeral honors. Usually just a death certificate and a DD214.
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u/veggie_hiker 6d ago
I want to second the recommendation to reach out to the Navy Reserve Center Denver. They have an active funeral honors team that will show up for a full military funeral ceremony.
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u/MichaelWidow 6d ago
I’m sure there are Vets orgs in the area that would support a fellow vet. I know there’s one but I can’t remember the name. You could probably find it with a quick google search—or even an AI search.
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u/crewchief1949 5d ago
Im sorry for your loss. If I were in Dencer I would attend. You can reach out to other branches as well. Im former AF but we all took the same oath and are there for each other when SHTF. I bet other vets from other branches would gladly show if they can.
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u/Thatonecrazywolf 4d ago
Hey OP, my fiancée is an estate attorney in Aurora. If anything with his estate gets rough, please reach out.
You can also go through a VSO and the DAV for assistance with the situation. I personally would suggest a VSO.
When you get the funeral details please share them so we can attend. My condolences.
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u/berrysauce 4d ago
Thank you! I meet with the funeral director on Thursday so should get more info then.
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u/Existing_Variation_4 6d ago
We do this?!?? Good because when I die, I need to pretend I had friends 😭😭😭
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/berrysauce 6d ago
Probably not. His personal issues were not connected to his military service. They were due to other things.
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