He did not have any family.
But a community members in Wichita, Kansas are rallying together to give a devoted Navy veteran the honorable funeral he deserves.
Stephen J. Morrison died July 7 in Wichita at the age of 65. A spokesperson for local Dignity Memorial says Morrison had no living relatives, and his body went unclaimed after his death.
Born on Oct. 23, 1958, Morrison served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1977. He will be laid to rest today following a memorial service at Resthaven Cemetery.
Following the service, a procession led by American Legion Riders from Mulvane will help escort Morrison to Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.
As Morrison had no living relatives, the Dignity Memorial’s Homeless Veterans Burial Program stepped in to help cover his funeral services in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Resthaven Cemetery.
“Well, I think to most [people]anyway, it means a lot. And for these guys and gals, we’ve had some of each come back and, a lot of times [they] come on hard times. Whether it’s, you know, substance abuse, or financial hard times, and then they don’t have quite the resources to rely on to get back on their feet,” said Resthaven Cemetery Manager Mark Hansen in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“They fought for us and put their lives on the line. And, and in my opinion, I’m not a veteran, but it’s the least I can do to help them out and give them the honor they deserve,” Hansen added.
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Dignity Memorial Services did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.