MISSION — The grounds of the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery has seen many of these ceremonies, and on Thursday morning it held another — in association with the Texas Veterans Land Board — for a veteran without a family present, but before a crowd who adopted him as their own.
U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Don R. Marcell was the 227th unaccompanied veteran to be buried Thursday through the Veterans Land Board.
Framed by the Patriot Riders flags, Jorge Gonzalez, with VFW Post 8788, waits for the burial service for unaccompanied U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Mary Garza, left, and Ana Robles, right, of Harlingen, listen during the eulogy for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])The flag and ashes are place on a small table during a burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Marco Garcia, left, and Gustavo Garza, right, of the Mission Parks and Recreation Department, place flags along the entrance to the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery for the burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Jorge Gonzalez, with VFW Post 8788, is seen during the burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])The flag and ashes are place on a small table during a burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery during a burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Homer Gallegos, Jorge Gonzalez and Arnold Garza, with VFW 8788, fold the flag during the burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Cruz Yanez salutes during the playing of taps for the burial service for U.S. Air Force Veteran First Class Don R. Marcel at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])
