by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public affairs
8/29/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A
"Forgotten Hero" ceremony was held for Pierre David Junod, a navigator
in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, Aug. 18, at the Biloxi
National Cemetery.
Although Junod, a 66-year-old Buffalo, New York, native, had no
immediate family, more than a hundred military and civilian members of
the local community attended the ceremony, ensuring he wasn't buried
alone.
"The VA sponsors these ceremonies for veterans with no family," said Lt.
Col. Steven T. Dabbs, 81st Training Wing deputy wing chaplain. "But
with all who attended, his church family, Air Force members, Department
of Defense compatriots and motorcyclists, that is by far the largest
showing of family possible."
The Keesler Honor Guard performed military funeral honors for the event
and delivered the ceremonial flag to Max C. Peck, Jr., who was one of
Junod's closest friends and a fellow member of The Nourishing Place
chapel.
Junod, pronounced "Juno," was an orphan until the age of seven when he
was adopted by a military family. He traveled extensively with his
family, and after graduating high school in Europe, Junod obtained his
Bachelor's Degree in Geology from Clarion College in Pennsylvania and
joined the Air Force shortly after, said Peck.
"After leaving the Air Force as a major, he settled in Gulfport," said
Peck. "He was an independent businessman for a time and then spent
several years homeless. Our church found him and connected him with the
VA hospital where he found treatment and became self-sustaining again.
He worked odd jobs and assisted with church youth, (he was) a devoted
servant."
Peck described Junod as a good Christian man who kept to himself and
enjoyed stamp collecting, real estate speculation and had a knack for
mathematics.
"He would sometimes play chess online, nine games at once," said Peck.
"Once, I had to calculate the amount of oil to mix with gasoline in my
lawnmower," Peck added. "I couldn't even figure out the equation, and he
did the math in his head."
His church family and Air Force family weren't the only attendees of his
military committal ceremony. Various motorcycle groups also congregated
to honor their fallen brethren.
"We do this as often as we can for military veterans," said Cat Aguda, a
member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. "Especially for
fallen brothers without family. We make the time for them because they
deserve it."
Groups like the CVMA, the American Patriot Riders, and Patriot Guard
Riders are made up of all branches of service and act as military
support communities that attend the funerals of members of the U.S.
military, firefighters and police at the invitation of the decedent's
family.
Although he tried his whole life, Junod passed away before finding any of his blood-related parents or family, said Peck.
"I get sad every time I think about his passing," said Peck. "He spent
most of his life alone, and he died without any family, but at least the
military was able to give him a proper send off. He will be greatly
missed by his family at The Nourishing Place."
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
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